Page 295 - Effective group discussion theory and practice by Adams, Katherine H. Brilhart, John K. Galanes, Gloria J

278 Chapter 10

Examples of discussion outlines are provided to give you a mental model of how
a leader might structure the group’s problem-solving process. Examples of two lead-
ers’ outlines adapting P-MOPS are presented in Tables 10.10 and 10.11. In
Table 10.10, the outline deals with all the complexities of parking on an urban cam-
pus. From the outline, you can see how major criteria were arrived at and used to
evaluate proposals. Table 10.11 is a leader’s simple outline for structuring discussion
of a problem with few solutions and for which discussion time was limited. Table 10.12
uses the Single Question Format for a discussion about the Springfield area’s solid
waste disposal problem, and Table 10.13 shows how O’Fallon city officials might have
used the Ideal Solution Format to discuss their water treatment problem, discussed in
Chapter 9.

TABLE 10.10
Using P-MOPS to PROBLEM QUESTION: What should be done to improve student parking at Missouri
structure a complex State University?
question about I. What is the nature of the problem that students encounter with parking at MSU?
student parking A. What is the scope of our concern with student parking?
1. Do any terms in the question need to be clarified?
2. What authority do we have?
3. Do we need to determine the authority and duties of departments
involved with campus parking?
B. What is now unsatisfactory about student parking?
1. What have we found to be unsatisfactory?
a. Have any studies been done?
b. What complaints have students been making?
2. Does any other information exist about student parking that we need to
consider?
C. What goals does the committee hope to achieve by changes in parking that
we need to consider?
D. What obstacles may stand in the way of improving parking for students?
1. What do we know about what is causing the problem(s) we’ve described?
2. How much interest do involved persons have in this problem?
3. What limits are there on resources that might be needed?
a. Funds?
b. Space?
c. Personnel?
d. Other?
4. Are there any other obstacles to changing student parking?
E. How shall we summarize the problem(s) with student parking at MSU?
1. Do we all perceive the problem the same?
2. Should we subdivide the problem?
Used with permission of Greg Gravenmeier, student in John Brilhart’s class.

gal37018_ch10_259_290.indd 278 3/30/18 11:14 AM