UTS: Reflection on Problem Solving Designs & Activity Plan Development

This essay presents a student's reflection on problem-solving designs and activity plan development within the context of a Master of Science in Internetworking program at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). The reflection covers the student's understanding of problem-solving approaches and design methodologies, drawing from experiences in undergraduate studies and a previous job involving network monitoring and risk handling. The student outlines a five-step problem-solving process and a three-phase approach used in their job role. Furthermore, the essay includes an activity program focused on developing risk management, general management, and design skills to enhance problem-solving capabilities. The student emphasizes the importance of these skills for both academic and career pursuits, referencing experiences gained during internship programs. The essay concludes with a bibliography of relevant academic sources.

Running head: REFLECTION ON PROBLEM SOLVING DESIGNS AND ACTIVITY PLAN
DEVELOPMENT
Reflection on problem solving designs and activity plan development
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author note

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1) Introduction
My name is Rick Carter and I am currently pursuing Masters in Engineering for the
course of Master of Science in Internetworking at the University of Technology in Sydney.
During my study in the undergraduate courses, I have learned various utilizations and
applications of electronic devices and the way they are utilized. This study has provided me
knowledge for understanding research based ideas for my studies in the masters engineering
courses. This course has led me to identify my career based goals which I will utilize during
pursuing masters in the engineering courses. After completing my graduation, it has led me to
believe that the course syllabus included in this program is highly flexible due to the fact that this
has led me to gradually complete the courses involved here.
My journey in the engineering processes started when I enrolled for the bachelors
program in the same university. This helped me get knowledge on all the associated aspects of
engineering. These involve getting knowledge on analog and digital devices, studying all the
communication based aspects and the type of technology used for communication. As I had
interest in these aspects, I started pursuing masters in this subject area only.
2) Problem solving and design
I think that the problem solving aspects are one of my FEIT attributes which led to
various improvements in my study. As the use of communications in the industry is a major
aspect in the market, I think that the use of problem solving approaches is a necessity for
analyzing their associations with the aspects. I have seen that the use of problem solving
approaches is being used in a different manner in various approaches. However, I define it in a

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basic sense that the requirement which has to be met. The needs which I have just stated may
include various things which exist in the nature or it may exist in the business approaches of a
specific company or organization. In a similar manner, the use of designing methods is another
proactive way of utilizing problem-solving approaches. I think that it includes researching,
experimentation and the necessary development for the preparation of a valuable output. I have
seen using of these concepts for solving problems in many aspects.
When I will be working in the industrial sectors for communication job roles, the use of
such methods will be very much required. After completing my undergraduate course, I got a job
offer in a specific company. My daily part of the job included monitoring the network and risk
handling. I was paid decently for my works and the seniors were very supportive. However, the
major part of my job laid emphasis on problem solving approaches. I was responsible for
analyzing the network for issues and risks arising at any time. I was also responsible for
reporting that any such issues associated so that it can be solved in a sequential manner.
I followed the five aspects of problem solving approaches for addressing my problems
and concerns in my company. The first step involved is defining the problem associated. I
mainly utilized this method for knowing the problem involved. The second step is to determine
the cause of the problem which helped me to identify the root cause of it. The third step that I
followed was generating ideas for solving them. I seek help from my seniors or made a network
analysis involving the connections. Out of these, I selected the best solution and lastly
implemented them.
I also followed the three phases of problem solving approaches for addressing in the
requirements of my job. The first question that I followed is the importance of the problem. This

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helped in getting a general idea of the requirements needed which will help me in solving the
problem in hand. The next step that I follow in the context of my job is the method to be
followed. As there were various risks associated in the company processes, the need to identify
the process adoption was required. I had to generalize whether it was a normal troubleshooting
problem or a risk with a major issue. I also got help from these approaches regarding what must
be done for this process. Lastly, the problem solving process was commenced. In case of my job
responsibilities, the sources and the reporting were needed for my problem solving processes.
For addressing the issues, I will have to use different types of problem solving approaches like
discuss the problem with seniors in a face to face conversation. In addition, I do think that I may
have to call the team leaders for this problem.
3) Activity program
As I mentioned earlier in my reflection that the problem solving approaches are
necessary, I need to utilize them such that I can adopt them in my normal processing. I need to
manage the associated problems in my daily life as well. For that reason, I need to develop
various management skills so that I can be able to use them.
1. Risk management skills
2. Management skills
3. Design skills
I need to follow all the associated problems such that it can be used up to my capabilities.
I have also learned about some of these aspects during my internship programs. I learned some
of the management skills needed like time management. This is the reason that I think that this
course work will help me in my academics as well as my career.

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4) Bibliography
García Peñalvo, F.J., 2015. Entrepreneurial and problem solving skills in software engineers.
Hesse, F., Care, E., Buder, J., Sassenberg, K. and Griffin, P., 2015. A framework for teachable
collaborative problem solving skills. In Assessment and teaching of 21st century skills (pp. 37-
56). Springer, Dordrecht.
KALELIOĞLU, F. and Gülbahar, Y., 2014. The Effects of Teaching Programming via Scratch
on Problem Solving Skills: A Discussion from Learners' Perspective. Informatics in
Education, 13(1).
Palermo, T.M., Law, E.F., Bromberg, M., Fales, J., Eccleston, C. and Wilson, A.C., 2016.
Problem solving skills training for parents of children with chronic pain: A pilot randomized
controlled trial. Pain, 157(6), p.1213.
Stadler, M.J., Becker, N., Greiff, S. and Spinath, F.M., 2016. The complex route to success:
complex problem-solving skills in the prediction of university success. Higher Education
Research & Development, 35(2), pp.365-379.
Suor, J.H., Sturge‐Apple, M.L., Davies, P.T. and Cicchetti, D., 2017. A life history approach to
delineating how harsh environments and hawk temperament traits differentially shape children's
problem‐solving skills. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 58(8), pp.902-909.