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Workbook
EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolving
v.1October,2016©1Weshouldalwayspaysomedown.Probablynot5Kthisto
Problem Solving
Employability Skills Workbook
Workbook
EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolving
v.1October,2016©2
Nopatentliabilityisassumedwithrespecttotheuseoftheinformationcontainedherein.Whileeveryprecautionhasbeentakeninthepreparationofthiswork,theauthorsassumenoresponsibilityforerrorsoromissions.Neitherisanyliabilityassumedfordamagesresultingfromtheuseofinformationcontainedherein.Thisworkhasbeenpreparedforuseaspartofstructuredvocationaleducationandtrainingandshouldonlybeusedwithinthatcontext.Theinformationcontainedhereinwascorrectatthetimeofpreparation.©BlueprintProjectLLC.ExceptasprovidedbytheCopyrightAct1968,thispublicationmayonlybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystemortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeansasperthetermsandconditionsofpurchase.
Sample
Workbook
EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolving
v.1October,2016©3
Contents
Symbols................................................................................................................................................4
Introduction.........................................................................................................................................5
WorkplaceProblems............................................................................................................................6
Activity1WorkplaceProblems.........................................................................................................8
Problem-SolvingSkills..........................................................................................................................9
Activity2Problem-SolvingSkills.....................................................................................................12
Problem-SolvingProcess....................................................................................................................13
Activity3FiveStepProblemSolving...............................................................................................15
Problem-SolvingTools........................................................................................................................16
Activity4Problem-SolvingTools....................................................................................................20
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EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolving
v.1October,2016©4
Symbols
ImportantPoints
Informationthatismostrelevanttothejobrole
Activities
Opportunitiestopracticeandapplyskills
UsefulResources
Websites,resources,organisations,etc.
Sample
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EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolving
v.1October,2016©5
IntroductionEmployabilityskillsarethegeneralworkplaceskillsthatemployerslookforbeyondjob-specificskills.Forexample,youneedtobeabletocommunicate,problemsolveandusetechnologyinanyworkplace.Theseskills,alongwithyourjobtrainingmakeyoumoreemployableinarangeofworkplaces.Themodernworkplacerequiresemployeestohavetherightmixofknowledge,abilitiesandpersonalqualitiesinordertobesuccessful.Youneedtoberesourceful,adaptableandorganised,aswellasskilledinyourspecificjob.Havingtheseemployabilityskillsgivesyouagreaterrangeofchoicesinthejobmarketandopensupopportunitiesonceyougetthere.Regardlessofyourspecificjob,ortheindustryyouworkin,thereareseveralskillsemployersarelookingfor:
1. Pre-Employment2. Communication3. Teamwork4. Problemsolving5. Initiativeandenterprise6. Planningandorganising7. Self-management8. Learningandtechnology
ProblemSolving
Problemsolvingisaboutbeingabletofindsolutionswhenfacedwithdifficultiesorsetbacks.Evenifyoucan’tthinkofasolutionstraightaway,youneedtohavealogicalprocessforfiguringthingsout.Problemsolvinginvolves:
§ Identifyinganddefiningproblems§ Usingarangeofpracticalandcreativeskills§ Developingpracticalandinnovativesolutions§ Implementingstrategiesandtools§ Evaluatingsolutions
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EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolving
v.1October,2016©6
WorkplaceProblemsProblemsaredailylifeoccurrence;relationships,money,traffic,thingsthatdon’tworkproperly,etc.Somearemoreseriousandcomplexthanothers,andsomearespecifictocertainsituations.Theworkplacebringsitsownsetofissuesandproblemsthatmakeitdifficultforpeopletodotheirjobs.Workplaceproblemsinclude:
§ Interpersonalconflict§ Communicationproblems§ Gossip,dramaandsmalltalk§ Focusanddisengagement§ Lowmotivationandjobsatisfaction§ Performanceissues§ Poorjobfit
Workplaceproblemsareacommonsourceofstressformostpeople;thereisnoperfectworkplacewhereeveryonegetsalong,theyallunderstandtheirroleandthere’sneveranyconflict.Infact,mostworkplacesaretheopposite;thereisfrequentconflictbetweenworkers,confusionaboutroleexpectationsandpoorcommunicationbetweenmanagementandstaff.Theworkplaceistypicallyanenvironmentinwhichpeoplewithdifferentpersonalities,communicationstyles,andworldviewsinteract.Thesedifferencescancreatetension,stressandconflictthatinsomecases,canbeharmful.Forexample,someworkersexperiencebullying,harassmentand/ordiscrimination,andalthoughallworkershavetherighttobetreatedfairlyandtofeelsafeintheworkplace,thisisnotalwaysthecase.
Workplaceissuessuchasbullying,harassmentanddiscriminationmustbereportedtomanagement/HR,astheseissueshavelegalconsequences.
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EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolving
v.1October,2016©7
Workplaceproblemscanleadtomoreproblems:§ Stress§ Decreasedperformance/productivity§ Lossofjob/termination§ Decreasedsatisfaction/happiness§ Mentalhealthissues
Itisimportanthowever,toseesomeproblemsasopportunities;theychallengeyouandpushyoutoseeanddothingsdifferently,whichultimately
makesyouabetteremployee.
ProblemSolvingBarriers
Inmanyworkplacesituations,weareourownworstenemyinsolvingproblems;wedecidethatproblemscan’tbesolved,otherpeopleareresponsible,wemakerashdecisions,wemakeitpersonal,etc.Barrierstosolvingworkplaceproblemsinclude:
§ Perception§ Assumptions§ Oldhabits§ Fear§ Procrastination§ Beingreactive§ Emotionalattachments§ Pessimism§ Irrationality
Sam
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EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolving
v.1October,2016©8
Activity1WorkplaceProblems
1. List5thingsyoubelievetobethemostcommonworkplaceproblems.
2. Compareyourlistwithanotherperson.Whatisdifferent?Whatisthesame?Why?
3. Makealistoftheproblem-solvingbarriersyouhaveencountered,includingyourown.
4. Compareyourlistwithanotherperson.Whatisdifferent?Whatisthesame?Why?
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EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolving
v.1October,2016©9
Problem-SolvingSkillsTosuccessfullysolveworkplaceproblems,youneedpracticalproblem-solvingskillsandcreativeproblem-solvingskills.Dependingontheproblem,theenvironment,otherpeopleyouareworkingwith,andyourownpersonality,oneofthesewillbemoreeffectivethantheother.Practicalproblem-solvingskills(alsocalled,‘Analyticalproblem-solvingskills’)arethecriticalthinkingskillsandsubjectknowledgethathelpyouevaluatetheproblemfromalogicalperspective.Someproblemsrequirealogicalandmethodicalapproach,e.g.,technicalproblems,orproblemswithasetsolution.Practicalproblem-solvingskillsinclude:
§ Puttingthingsinorder,e.g.,events,items,situations,etc.§ Comparingtheoptions§ Contrastingtheoptions§ Evaluatingtheoptions§ Selectingthebestoption
Creativeproblem-solvingskillsaretheindirectanddivergentthinkingskillsthatuseimaginationtoapproachproblemsfromdifferentanglesandfindarangeofinnovativesolutions.Someideasandapproachesmayseemunrealisticorimpractical,butcreativeproblem-solvingpushesyoutolookbeyondtheobviousandtrysomethingnew.Creativeproblem-solvingisgenerallyappliedtofourdifferenttypesofproblems:
§ Personalproblems,e.g.,emotionalorhealthproblems§ Interpersonalproblems,e.g.,disagreementswithotherpeople§ Impersonalproblems,e.g.,shortageofmoney§ Communityandwidersocietalproblems,e.g.,litterorcrimerates,etc.
Creativeproblem-solvingskillsinclude:
§ Creatingabroadrangeofideas§ Drawingconclusions§ Creatinguncommonideas§ Developingideas§ Believingtheproblemwillbesolved
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Effectiveproblemsolvingrequiresameasuredcombinationofpracticalandcreativethinking.
PracticalProblemSolvingSkills CreativeProblemSolvingSkills
§ Gatheringinformationandfacts§ Settingsuitableproblemsolvinggoals§ Applyingrationalthinkingtogeneratepossible
solutions§ Makingdecisionsaboutthebestsolution§ Planning,organisingandimplementing
solutions
§ Usingintuitionanddrawingconclusionsbasedonimpressionsandfeelingsinsteadoffacts
§ Creatingnew,meaningfulideasorconcepts§ Beinginnovative–puttingnewideasorconcepts
toapracticaluse§ Givingthesituationtimeto‘incubate’–letting
thesolutiondevelopovertime
Peopletendtohavearangeofbothproblem-solvingskillsatdifferenttimes,andindifferentsituations.Becauseofthis,itisessentialthatyouapplyeffective
communicationskillsandfocusonaspectsofteamworkwhensolvingproblemswithotherpeopleintheworkplace.
Peoplewithstrongpracticalproblemsolvingskillswhodon’thavestrongcreativeproblemsolvingskillscanseeproblemsasobstacles,athreattotheircomfortandsecurity,ortheybecomefrustratedandannoyedwhenproblemsarise.Theymayhavethepracticalskillstotakeaction,butnotthecreativitytoseedifferentaspectsoftheproblemorthebeliefthattheywillsucceed,andthiscanlimittheirsuccess.Peoplewhohavestrongcreativeproblemsolvingskillsbutnotstrongpracticalproblemsolvingskillscanbeoverlyoptimisticaboutproblemsandfallintothetrapof“hopingforthebest;itwillallworkout”.Thiscreatesasituationwhereproblemsarenotquicklyresolvedbecausetheyfailtotakeaction.Tosolveworkplaceproblems,youneedtobeableto:
§ Focusonthesolution–nottheproblem§ Haveanopenmind§ Beinquisitive§ Viewproblemsneutrally§ Thinklaterally–indirectly,creatively,etc.§ Uselanguagethatcreatespossibility§ Simplifysituations§ Keepemotionsoutofit§ Seeproblemsaschallengesoropportunities§ Believethatproblemsaresolvable§ Understandthatsolvingproblemstakestimeandeffort
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§ Motivateyourselftosolveproblemsimmediately,ratherthanputtingthemoff§ Identifythespecificsoftheproblem§ Evaluateinformationorsituationsthatarelinkedtotheproblem§ Breaktheproblemdownintokeycomponents§ Usecreativityandinitiative§ Makeeffectiveuseofresources§ Considervariouswaysofapproachingandresolvingtheproblem§ Decideonthemostappropriatesolution§ Learnfromtheprocess
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EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolving
v.1October,2016©12
Activity2Problem-SolvingSkills
Thinkabouthowyoutypicallysolveproblems–atworkandathome.1. Writeareflectionthatanswersthefollowingquestions.
§ Howdoyousolveproblemswithfriendsandfamily?§ Howdoyousolveproblemsatwork?§ Doyouconsideryourselftobeagoodproblem-solver?Why/Whynot?§ Whatareyourstrongestandweakestproblem-solvingskills?§ Whatwouldyouliketoimprove?
2. Provide2examplesofactualsituationsyou’vebeeninandhowyouhandledthem.
§ Didyouusepracticalorcreativeproblemsolvingskills?Orboth?How?§ Howdidothersaroundyouhandletheproblemandwhatdoyouthinkaboutit?§ Whatwassuccessful?Whatwasnotsuccessful?
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EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolving
v.1October,2016©13
Problem-SolvingProcessWhethertheproblemrequiresapracticalapproachoracreativeone,asuccessfuloutcomeismorelikelywhenyouapplyaproblem-solvingprocess.Therearemanyvariationsoftheprocessbelow,butthisisthemostwidelyacceptedandused.Five-StepProcesstoProblemSolving
Therearefivegeneralstepsintheproblemsolvingprocess:1. Definetheproblem
Beforeyoucansolvetheproblem,youmustknowexactlywhatitis,andunderstanditsimpact.Takeyourtimeduringthisstage;trytounderstandtheunderlyingcauseoftheproblemanditsmanysymptoms.Byidentifyingandaddressingthecauseoftheproblem,thesymptomsarelikelytobesolvedalso.Definingaproblemcanbeassimpleasaskingtherightquestionsattherighttime:
§ Whatishappening?§ Whatistherealproblem?§ Whyisthishappening?§ Why/Howisitaproblem?§ CanIignorethisproblem?§ Whoandwhatcanhelpsolvethis?
Thisisagoodtimetoapplythe“5Whys”process(seethenexttopic).
Definetheproblem Generateideasfor asolution Decideonasolution
Implementthesolution Reviewtheresults
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EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolving
v.1October,2016©14
2. Generateideasforasolution
Brainstormalistofpotentialsolutionstotheproblem(seethenexttopicformoreonbrainstorming).Createalistthatincludesasmanyideasandoptionsaspossible.Larger,morecomplexproblems,needbiggerlists.Thisstepmaytakeawhiletocomplete.Itmayoccurovermanydaysorweeks,astheideasarepresentedanddiscussed.Dependingontheworkplace,peoplemaybrainstormindividualsolutionsandthencometogetherwiththelargergrouptoshareideas.Itisimportantnottoruleoutanyideasatthispoint.3. Decideonasolution
Reviewthedifferentoptionsthatyougeneratedduringstep2.Selectoneormoresolutionsusingthefollowingquestions:
§ Isiteffective?§ Willitmeetthegoal?§ Isitefficient?§ Willbeaffordable?§ Canitbeimplementedinatimelymanner?§ Willtherebeunintendedconsequences?
ThisisagoodtimetoconductaSWOTanalysis(seethenexttopic).4. Implementthesolution
Onceyouhavemadeadecision,youneedaplantoimplementthesolution.Determinethefollowing:
§ Whatneedstodone§ Howitwillbedone§ Whoneedstodoeachpart§ Wheneachpartneedstobecompleted§ Whenandhowitwillbereviewed
Implementtheplan,monitoritssuccessandprepareforareview.5. Reviewtheresults
Inordertoknowifyousuccessfullysolvedtheproblem,youneedtoreviewtheimpactofthesolution.Thisreviewwillalsohelpyouimproveyourproblem-solvingskillsandpreventsimilarproblemsfromoccurringinthefuture.Thereviewdoesn’tneedtooverlycomplicated;youjustneedtoevaluatethefollowing:
§ Whatworkedandwhatdidn’t§ Feedbackfromotherworkers,customers,clients,management,etc.§ Theentireproblem-solvingprocess
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EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolving
v.1October,2016©15
Activity3FiveStepProblemSolvingProcess
Workingwithasmallgroup,applythe5StepProblem-SolvingModeltotheproblembelow.Afterwards,compareyoursolutionswiththeothergroups.Discussthedifferencesandsimilarities.Doesanythingstandout?
Twoofthefivemembersoftheteamyouworkwitharenotgettingalong.Theybickerabouthowtogetthejobdoneandthewholeteamisstressed.Theybothsaytheycannotbeeffectiveandworkwiththeotherperson.Theyclearlyhavecommunicationissues,generallydislikeeachotheranddonothaverespectfortheothers’ideasandworkmethods.Yourteamisworkingonanimportantprojecttogetherandthereisnoroomforarguingandfightingasthedeadlineisdrawingnear.Thesupervisorisonleaveandasateamyouneedtocomeupwithasolution.
Usethe5Stepprocesstocomeupwithshort-termaswellaslong-termsolutions.
Reflection–Whatwasdifficultaboutthissituationforyou? Sam
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EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolving
v.1October,2016©16
Problem-SolvingToolsThe5Whys
The5Whysisaproblem-solvingtoolthatinvolvesaskingaseriesoffive(orless)“Why”questionstogettotherootoftheproblem.Thethinkingis,theanswertoonequestionwillleadyoutoanotherquestion.ThisisaneffectivetoolforStep1ofthe5-Stepprocess.Thefollowingisaverysimpleexampleofthe5Whyprocess.
Problem:Customerisrefusingtopayfortheirorder.1. Whyaretheyrefusing?
– Becausewedidnotdeliverontime.2. Whydidwenotdeliverontime?
– Becausetheordertooklongertocompletethanweexpected.
3. Whydidittakelongerthanexpected?– Becauseweranoutofmaterials.
4. Whydidwerunoutofmaterials?
– Becausetheywereusedonapreviousorder.
5. Whywasn’ttherebackupstock?– Becausethesupplierdidnotdeliverontime.
Solutions:a. Weneedtofindaback-upsupplierwhocandeliveronshortnotice.b. Weneedanewinventorysystem/schedule.c. Weneedtocheckourstockbeforeprovidingtimeframes.
The5Whysisbestusedforsimple,process-relatedproblems.Formorecomplexproblems,itisrecommendedthatyouuseonethetoolsonthefollowingpages.
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EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolving
v.1October,2016©17
CauseandEffectDiagrams
CauseandEffectDiagrams,alsocalledFishbonediagrams,areeffectivetoolsthathelpidentifyanddocumentallpossiblecausestoproblemsthatyoumayencounterintheworkplace.Usedduringthefirsttwostepsofthe5-stepprocess,andbrainstormingsessions,Fishbonediagramshelpyouthoroughlyconsideranyhiddenfactorsthatmaybecausingorinfluencingtheproblem,suchasresources,equipment,processes,orpeople.
Inafishbonediagram,thevariouscausesaregroupedintocategoriesandthearrowsintheimagebelowindicatehowthecausescascadeorflowtowardtheendeffect.
UsingaCauseandEffectDiagram
1. Identifytheproblem(theeffect):a. Identifywhoisinvolvedb. Identifywhenandwhereitoccurs
2. Decidethecategories–themajorfactorsinvolved:
a. Trytodrawoutasmanypossiblefactorsaspossible–usebrainstormingb. Examplesofcategoriesinclude–people,processes,systems,equipment,resources,
environment,policies,proceduresetc.
3. Identifypossiblecausesoftheproblem:a. Brainstormpossiblecausesoftheproblemthatmayberelatedtothefactorb. Drawtheseassmallerlinescomingoffthe'bones'ofthefish
4. Analyseandinvestigatethediagram:
a. Ask"Why?"or"Whyelse?"toidentifytherootcausesb. Investigatethemostlikelycausesfurther
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EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolving
v.1October,2016©18
Brainstorming
Aneffectiveandefficientmethodofproblemsolvingisbrainstorming;generatingnewandvariedideasinordertobuildcreativityandstimulatemembercontributions.Bouncingideasoffotherpeoplestimulatescreativethinking,whichleadstomoreinnovativesolutions.Brainstormingcanbedoneasaninteractiveexerciseorthepeoplecanworkontheirownbrainstormandthenshareresultswiththegroup.ThisisaneffectivetooltouseinStep2ofthe5-stepprocess.Brainstormingprocess:
§ Generateideas–makesurenoonecriticisesanyideas;thisdampenscreativity§ Geteveryonetocontribute§ Becreativity,evenifitseemsimpractical§ Keepmoving–don’tfocustoolongononetopic§ Encouragepeopletodevelopeachother’sideas§ RecordALLtheideas–theymaybuildoneachother;oryoumayseeatheme§ Sortthroughtheideas§ Lookforanythatareduplicatesandeliminate§ Grouplikeconceptstogether§ Eliminateideasthatdon’taddresstheproblem
Brainstormingisnotaperfecttoolforproblemsolving;itcanbechallengingtobalancepeople’scontributions.Somepeoplearenaturallyquiet,otherscanbemoredominantandittendstobethesemoredominantpeoplewhoseideasareheard.Therearethreemainfactorsthatcontributetounproductivebrainstorming:
Evaluationapprehension
People(especiallyquietones)canbeconcernedaboutmakingagoodimpressionandwillbereluctanttospeakupforfearofbeingjudged.
SocialloafingPeopletendtolosemotivationtoworkhardwhenworkingingroupsbecausetheyfeelthattheothermemberscanpickuptheslack;theyrelyonthemotivationandhardworkofthe‘collective’andthinktheycangeta‘freeride’.
ProductionblockingIndividualcontributionstendtogetinterruptedbythecontributionsofothers,especiallyquietpeoplewhoarelesslikelytojumpinandsaythefirstthingthatcomestomind.
Becarefulusingbrainstorming;thefirstideathatsomeoneorthegroupcomesupwithisnotalwaysthebest.Trytogenerateasmanyalternativesasyoucan.
Remember,thesolutionmayliewiththepersonwhodidn’tspeakupbecausetheydidn’tgetaturn,theywere‘loafing’ortheywereafraidofjudgement.
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EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolving
v.1October,2016©19
SWOTAnalysis
SWOTanalysisisaproblem-solvingtoolthatidentifiesthestrengths,weaknesses,opportunitiesandthreatsofasolution.Afteryouhaveidentifiedtheproblemandexploredpossiblesolutions,conductaSWOTanalysisbyfillingineachofthefourareasinthegridbelow.ThisisaneffectivetooltouseinStep3.Therearemanyotherwaystothinkthroughandsolveproblems:
§ Askmorequestions–wetendtojumptosolutionsbasedonwhatworkedinthepast§ Tacklethesmallestproblemsfirst–onceyouhavesolvedsomebasicproblems,itfeelseasierto
solvethedifficultones§ Usevisualisationandillustration–makeachart,storyboard,drawitoutonawhiteboard,etc.§ Breaktheproblemintocomponents,addresseachcomponentasanindividualproblem§ Useaflowchart–includetheproblemaswellasthingsthatareworking§ Playout“worsecasescenarios”
Strengths•Advantagesoftheoption•Aspectsoftheoptionthatwillhelpsolvetheproblem
Weaknesses•Disadvantages oftheoption•Aspectsoftheoptionthatcouldmakeitfail
Opportunities•Externalresourcesthatcanhelpthesolution•Technology,people,otherorganisations,etc.
Threats•External isuesthatcanderailthesolution•Obstacles- money,time,resources,people,skills,etc.
SWOT
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EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolving
v.1October,2016©20
Activity4Problem-SolvingTools
Workingwithasmallgroup,discussthescenariosbelowandcomeupwithasolutionforeachoneusingoneormoreofthetoolsandstrategiesinthissection.Trytouseadifferenttoolforeachproblem.
1. Thepersonwhoordersmaterialsfortheprojectyouareworkingonhascompletelyforgottentodoit.Everyoneisreadytogetstartedandtherearenomaterialstoworkwith.Theclientiscomingbyintwodaystocheckonprogress.Itwillbeatleast3daysbeforethematerialsarrive.
2. Thepersonwhohandlesalltechnicalsupportforyourwebsiteischronicallylateatgettingbacktoyou.
Unfortunately,hebuiltthewebsiteandsaysitiscomplicatedandonlyheunderstandshowitworks.Youreallylovethewebsiteandknowheistalentedanddonotwanttostartover.
3. Youdonotthinkyouarevaluedasanemployeeatyourjob.Youlovewhatyoudobutarestartingtofeelunmotivated.Youstartmakingcarelessmistakesandyoursupervisorisbeginningtonotice.
4. Yourco-workerrarelyrespondstocustomeremailsinatimelyfashion.Onanumberofoccasions,youhavereceivedangryemailsfromcustomerslettingyouknowtheyaretakingtheirbusinesselsewhere.
Whatproblemsolvingtoolsdidyouuseforeachscenario?Whichonesworkedbestforyou?
Sample
SkillsAssessment
EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolvingv.1October,2016© 1
Problem Solving
Employability Skills Skills Assessment Sam
ple
SkillsAssessment
EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolvingv.1October,2016© 2
Nopatentliabilityisassumedwithrespecttotheuseoftheinformationcontainedherein.Whileeveryprecautionhasbeentakeninthepreparationofthiswork,theauthorsassumenoresponsibilityforerrorsoromissions.Neitherisanyliabilityassumedfordamagesresultingfromtheuseofinformationcontainedherein.Thisworkhasbeenpreparedforuseaspartofstructuredvocationaleducationandtrainingandshouldonlybeusedwithinthatcontext.Theinformationcontainedhereinwascorrectatthetimeofpreparation.©BlueprintProjectLLC.ExceptasprovidedbytheCopyrightAct1968,thispublicationmayonlybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystemortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeansasperthetermsandconditionsofpurchase.
Sample
SkillsAssessment
EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolvingv.1October,2016© 3
Contents
Introduction.........................................................................................................................................4
Task1–CaseStudy..............................................................................................................................5
Task2–Self-Assessment......................................................................................................................6
Task3–Problem-SolvingProcess........................................................................................................7
Task4–Questions...............................................................................................................................8
Sample
SkillsAssessment
EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolvingv.1October,2016© 4
IntroductionEmployabilityskillsarethegeneralworkplaceskillsthatemployerslookforbeyondjob-specificskills.Forexample,youneedtobeabletocommunicate,problemsolveandusetechnologyinanyworkplace.Theseskills,alongwithyourjobtrainingmakeyoumoreemployableinarangeofworkplaces.Themodernworkplacerequiresemployeestohavetherightmixofknowledge,abilitiesandpersonalqualitiesinordertobesuccessful.Youneedtoberesourceful,adaptableandorganised,aswellasskilledinyourspecificjob.Havingtheseemployabilityskillsgivesyouagreaterrangeofchoicesinthejobmarketandopensupopportunitiesonceyougetthere.Regardlessofyourspecificjob,ortheindustryyouworkin,thereareseveralskillsemployersarelookingfor:
1. Pre-Employment2. Communication3. Teamwork4. Problemsolving5. Initiative/enterprise6. Planningandorganising7. Self-management8. Learningandtechnology
ProblemSolving
Problemsolvingisaboutbeingabletofindsolutionswhenfacedwithdifficultiesorsetbacks.Evenifyoucan’tthinkofasolutionstraightaway,youneedtohavealogicalprocessforfiguringthingsout.Problemsolvinginvolves:
§ Identifyinganddefiningproblems§ Usingarangeofpracticalandcreativeskills§ Developingpracticalandinnovativesolutions§ Implementingstrategiesandtools§ Evaluatingsolutions
Sam
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SkillsAssessment
EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolvingv.1October,2016© 5
Task1–CaseStudyUsethiscasestudytoworkthroughworkplaceissuesrelatingto:
§ Interpersonalconflict§ Communicationproblems§ Gossip,dramaandsmalltalk§ Focusanddisengagement§ Lowmotivationandjobsatisfaction§ Performanceissues§ Poorjobfit
Thequestionsbelowareprovidedasaguidetofacilitatediscussion.Theycanbeansweredingroupsorindividually.Feelfreetoaddotherrelevantquestionsthatsuityourparticularneedsorsituation.
Duetobudgetcuts,2ofthe5peopleinyourdepartmenthavebeenletgo.Thesupervisorhasdividedtheworkloadbetweenthe3remainingworkers;Ashley,TimothyandJared.Withoutthemoneyformorestaff,Ashley,TimothyandJaredhavebeentoldtheyareluckytostillhavetheirjobsatallandtobethankfultheywerenotletgo.Whiletheadditionalworkisputtingstressoneachofthem,thereareafewotherissuesthathavecomeup:
1. Timothyisupsetthatthehigher-levelworkhasbeengiventoAshley.Hedoesnotthinksheiscapableofhandlingitandthinksshewillmakethemalllookbad.
2. Jaredissofrustratedabouttheadditionalworkloadthatheiscomplainingtoeveryoneaboutit.3. Ashleyhasbeenbraggingabouthernewresponsibilitiesandistellingpeopleshethinksshewill
getapromotionsoonbecausesheisclearlymoreimportantthanTimothyandJared.
DiscussionQuestions
§ Whatisthemainprobleminthisscenario?§ Ifyouwerethesupervisor,howwouldyouapproachthisproblem?§ Howwouldyousolveeachofthe3otherissues?§ Whatadditionalproblemscouldarisefromthissituation?§ Whatbarrierscouldbepreventinganeffectiveresolution?§ Whatwouldyoufindchallenginginaddressingthisproblem?§ Doesthissituationcallforpracticalorcreativeproblem-solvingskills?HowandWhy?§ Whatproblem-solvingtoolswouldyouapplyforaneffectiveresolution?
Sample
SkillsAssessment
EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolvingv.1October,2016© 6
Task2–Self-Assessment1. Whattypeofproblemsolverareyou?Tickalloftheboxesthatapplytoyou.
Iliketo…
q Usecriticalthinkingq Planandorganiseq Setgoalsq Gatherinformationandfactsq Compareoptionsq Makeclear,methodicaldecisionsq Breaktheproblemdownintokeycomponentsq Evaluateinformationrelevanttotheproblem
q lookatproblemsfromdifferentanglesq Developabroadrangeofuncommonideasq Think"outsidethebox"q Believetheproblemwillbesolvedq Useintuitionq Createnew,meaningfulideasorconceptsq Beinnovativeq Giveproblemstimeto‘incubate’
MostlytickedstatementsontheLEFT=Youareapracticalproblem-solver
MostlytickedstatementsintheRIGHT=Youareacreativeproblem-solver
IfyoutickedanEQUALnumberofleftandrightstatements=Youareabalancedproblem-solver
2. Thinkaboutworksituationsyou’vebeenin(orothersituations,ifthisisyourfirstjob)whereyou’ve
beeninstrumentalinsolvingaproblem.Referringtothelistsabove,whatstrategiesdidyouuse?Whatotherstrategiescouldyouhaveusedthatmighthavebeenbeneficial?
3. Reflectonatimesomeoneelsesolvedaproblemdifferentlythanyouwouldhave.Whatdidtheydothat
youadmired?
Sample
SkillsAssessment
EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolvingv.1October,2016© 7
Task3–Problem-SolvingProcessIdentifyacurrentprobleminyourworklife,andapplythe5StepProblemSolvingModel.
1.Definetheproblem
2.Ideasforasolution
3.Decideonasolution
4.Implementation
5.Review
Sample
SkillsAssessment
EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolvingv.1October,2016© 8
Task4–Questions
Workingonyourown,answerthefollowingquestions.
1. Whatarethetypesofproblemspeopleencounterintheworkplace?
2. Whatarethethingsthatcancreatebarrierstosolvingworkplaceproblems?
Sample
SkillsAssessment
EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolvingv.1October,2016© 9
3. Summarisethedifferencebetweenpracticalproblem-solvingskillsandcreativeproblem-solvingskills.
4. Summarisethe5StepProblem-SolvingProcess.
Sample
SkillsAssessment
EmployabilitySkills–ProblemSolvingv.1October,2016© 10
5. Explainthepurposeofthefollowingtools:§ The5Whys§ Brainstorming§ CauseandEffectDiagrams§ SWOTAnalysis
Sample
EmployabilitySkillsChecklistv.1October,2016©
1
EmployabilitySkillsChecklist
Thischecklistprovidesabreakdownoftheskillsthatwillbeaddressedineachtopicofthiskit.UseitasawaytomonitorcompletionoftheEmployabilitySkillskitorasarecordofoutcome.
EmployabilitySkills
PRE-EMPLOYMENT
Usedarangeofsourcestolocatejobpostings Interpretedjobdescriptions Preparedarésumé/CV Filledoutajobapplication Writtenacoverletter Respondedtoselectioncriteria Preparedforajobinterview Interviewedforajob Followedupwithprospectiveemployer Comments
COMMUNICATIONUsedarangeofcommunicationstyles Wasassertive Spokeclearlyanddirectly Adaptedcommunicationtosuitarangeofsituationsandpeople Usedandrecognisednon-verbalcommunication Writtentotheneedsoftheaudienceandsituation Comprehendedwrittenmaterial Usedactivelisteningskills Listenedandunderstands Usedopenandclosedquestionsappropriately Usedappropriatecrossculturalcommunicationtechniques
Sample
EmployabilitySkillsChecklistv.1October,2016©
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EmployabilitySkills
Recognisedandaddressedcommunicationbarriers Comments
TEAMWORKWorkedasanindividualandasamemberofateam Workedconfidentlywithinagroup Contributedownideaseffectively Tookashareoftheresponsibility Acceptedandlearnsfromconstructivecriticism Providedpositive,constructivefeedbacktoothers Workedacrossdifferentages,gender,race,religionorpoliticalpersuasion Recognisedstagesofteamdevelopment Definedownrolewithinteam Appliedteamworktoarangeofsituations Identifiedthestrengthsoftheteammembers Recognisedandaddressesteamchallenges Comments
PROBLEMSOLVINGIdentifiedanddefinesproblems Identifiedbarrierstoproblem-solving Usedarangeofpracticalandcreativeproblem-solvingskills Developedpracticalandinnovativesolutions Implementedarangeofproblem-solvingstrategiesandtools Evaluatedsolutions Sam
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EmployabilitySkills
Comments
INITIATIVEANDENTERPRISEAdaptedtonewsituations Tookcalculatedrisks Wascreative Identifiedopportunitiesotherpeopledon’tsee Identifiedpotentialimprovementstoworkingpracticeandconditions Generatedarangeofoptions Initiatedinnovativesolutions Translatedideasintoaction Didmorethanisexpected Tookresponsibilityforownactions Comments
PLANNINGANDORGANISINGAssessedcurrentsituation/needs Establishedcleargoalsandobjectives Identifiedandanalysesbarriers Developedactionplans Followedthroughonplans Managedtimeandpriorities Scheduledtimeandtasks Delegatedtasksandresponsibilitiestoothers Organisedworkenvironment Sam
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EmployabilitySkills
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SELF-MANAGEMENTHadself-awareness Understoodpreferredlearningstyle Recognisedandmanagedstress Balancedworkandpersonallife Hadconfidenceinownknowledgeandability Wasdisciplinedandresilient Hadself-control Wasabletoself-regulate Wasmotivated Waspersistent Maintainedhealth Managedinterruptionsanddistractions Comments
LEARNINGANDTECHNOLOGY
Managedownlearningwitharangeofmethodsandtechnology
Contributedtolearningintheworkplace
Waswillingtolearnandapplytechnologyskills
Hadenthusiasmforongoinglearning
Waswillingandopentolearnonandoffthejob
Waspreparedtoinvesttimeandeffortinlearningnewskills
Usedtechnologytoorganiseinformationanddata
Usedworkplacetechnology,includingsocialmediaappropriately
Sample