Contributing to Management Training Manual: Part 1, Week 4 Assignment

This assignment, a contribution to a management training manual, delves into the critical aspects of managerial problem-solving and decision-making. It highlights the interconnectedness of these two elements, emphasizing the necessity of creativity in identifying effective alternatives. The paper explores various decision-making styles, models, and techniques, providing a comprehensive overview of how managers can approach complex situations. It also examines the significance of group dynamics and factors influencing group decisions, such as size, composition, tasks, and goals. The assignment concludes by underscoring the importance of these considerations for effective management practices. The assignment includes an introduction, sections on problem-solving, decision-making, creativity, decision-making styles, decision-making models, decision-making techniques and group decisions, and a conclusion. References are provided from credible sources to support the arguments presented.

Week 4 Assignment Template:
Contributing to a Management
Training Manual: Part 1
[Your Name Here]
Walden University

Introduction
• The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate the
significance of managerial problem solving and
managerial decision making by reflecting the
relationship between the aspects of problem
solving and decision making.
• The paper will demonstrate the contribution of
creativity in the process of decision making and
styles of the decision making process.

Part 1: Managerial Problem
Solving & Decision Making

Problem Solving and Decision Making:
The Connection Between Them
• For facilitating the process of problem solving,
decision making skills are required.
• Decision making and problem solving techniques
are closely linked and marks the need for
creativity for the identification of effective
alternatives.
• Decision making skills and techniques are used in
different phases of problem solving.

Problem Solving and Decision Making:
The Connection Between Them

Problem Solving and Decision Making:
The Role of Creativity
• Creativity Refurbishes Motivation
• Creativity Stimulates Clarity (Lerner et al., 2015).
• Creativity Reinforces Critical Thinking
• Creativity Stimulates Productivity
• Creativity Enhances Positivity
• Creativity Encourages Logical Reasoning

Problem Solving and Decision Making:
Decision-Making Styles
•Decision making styles-
•Directive decision-making
•Analytic decision-making
•Conceptual decision-making
•Behavioral decision-making (Yates, 2019).

Problem Solving and Decision Making:
Decision-Making Models: 1 of 2
1. Classical Model
2. Administrative Model

Problem Solving and Decision Making:
Decision-Making Models: 2 of 2
3. Herbert Simon Model

Problem Solving and Decision Making:
Decision-Making Techniques: 1 of 2
1. Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis
2. Analytic Hierarchy Process
3. Decision Making Tree (Shapiro & Stefkovich,
2016).

Problem Solving and Decision Making:
Decision-Making Techniques: 2 of 2
4. Game Theory
5. Cost/Benefit Analysis

Problem Solving and Decision Making:
Group Decisions 1 of 2
1. Group Size
2. Group Composition (McNamara, 2019)

Problem Solving and Decision Making:
Group Decisions 2 of 2
3. Group tasks and goals
4. Group Dynamics

Conclusion
Therefore, it can be concluded by the discussion that
decision-making process is included in every phase of
problem solving. Both the aspects of management
are interrelated. There are various models and
techniques, which work towards the facilitation of a
decision making process. The discussion indicated
various factors, which needs to be considered in the
application of group decision-making, group size,
group composition, group tasks and goals and group
dynamics.

References
Lerner, J. S., Li, Y., Valdesolo, P., & Kassam, K. S. (2015). Emotion
and decision making. Annual review of psychology, 66, 799-
823.
Yates, J. (2019). Decision Management. Retrieved from
https://www.bus.umich.edu/FacultyResearch/Research/Deci
sionManagement.html
Shapiro, J. P., & Stefkovich, J. A. (2016). Ethical leadership and
decision making in education: Applying theoretical
perspectives to complex dilemmas. Routledge.
McNamara, C. (2019). Problem Solving and Decision Making
(Solving Problems and Making Decisions). Retrieved from
https://managementhelp.org/personalproductivity/problem
-solving.htm