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Problem Solving and Decision Making in Groups 277
smug and unwilling to think of new approaches. Then procedures to increase innova-
tion may be essential.
The acceptance requirements of a problem refer to the extent to which a proposed Acceptance
solution must be acceptable to people whom it will affect. Legislation enacted to solve Requirements
public problems has often backfired when acceptance requirements were overlooked. The degree to which
A task force recently created a planning and zoning ordinance for a county near where the solution for a
one of us lives, but citizen groups, although acknowledging a need for some such law, given problem must
refused to accept it. The United States experiences epic struggles over laws controlling be accepted by the
guns, marijuana, and cell phone use while driving. Sometimes a group must give people it will affect.
heavy consideration to the acceptability of a solution; at other times, little or none.
The technical requirements characteristic of a problem’s solution refers to Technical
whether it must match some standard of technical excellence or technical feasibility. Requirements
For instance, Toyota has had to rethink its quality control procedures, due to several The degree to which
disastrous recalls. the solution for a given
Use common sense when you modify P-MOPS. One of us spent two hours in a problem is technically
staff meeting trying to decide what would be the most appropriate thank-you gift for a feasible or must meet
college’s outgoing board of trustees. What a waste of time! Heavy problem analysis, standards of technical
which the group leader insisted on, was unnecessary—there was no possibility of mak- excellence.
ing a mistake because all the options were appropriate. In fact, the staff would have
been happy to have the leader select the gifts, with or without consultation. Examples
of P-MOPS modifications suggested by a problem’s characteristics are shown in
Table 10.9.
TABLE 10.9
Adaptation of Problem-Solving How problem
Problem Characteristic Procedure characteristics
suggest ways to
1. Intrinsic interest is high. A period of ventilation before systematic
problem solving. adapt P-MOPS
2. Task difficulty is high. Detailed problem mapping; many
subquestions.
3. Solution multiplicity is high. Brainstorming.
4. Cooperative requirements A criterion step, creating and ranking
are high. explicit criteria.
5. High level of acceptance is Focus on concern of people affected
required. when evaluating options.
6. High level of technical quality Focus on evaluating ideas, critical
is required. thinking; perhaps invite outside
experts to address group.
7. Population familiarity is high. Focus on criteria and creation of multiple
options.
8. Need only one or a few stages Shorten procedure to only steps
of the problem-solving process. required.
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