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PROBLEM SOLVING & DECISION MAKING
Problem Solving Style Inventory
Kenneth R. Phillips
Assessment and Workshop, 1 hour
Do your managers resist involving their
employees in the problem-solving process —
even when a participatory approach is the most
appropriate? Resolving workplace challenges
can be complicated even for an experienced
supervisor. Managers must decide whether to
engage employees to help fix the problem or
come to a resolution on their own. Help them
to learn whether their problem-solving and
decision-making preferences work for or against
them with the Problem Solving Style Inventory.
While there’s no single “ideal way” to solve
problems, this tool will help you to evaluate
your most common problem-solving technique
and explain the four key factors to consider
when choosing a style to best fit the situation at
hand. It has both a self-evaluation and feedback
component available to help supervisors,
managers, and team leaders identify their
dominant and supportive styles of decision
making and problem solving within their work
environment.
L E A R N I N G O U T C O M E S
• Identify which problem-solving styles are
used or ignored
• Understand when and how to use different
styles
• Determine which of the five styles is most
effective
• Recognize important factors to consider
when choosing a style
Facilitator Set Includes facilitator guide, workshop instructions, sample participant materials, and
PowerPoint presentation $141
Self Assessment $17.90
Observer Form $9
Force Field Problem Solving Model
HRDQ Research and Development Team
Activity, 1–2 hours
Group problem solving doesn’t have to be
complicated. Here’s an easy-to-use exercise that
offers a practical framework for solving complex
problems. Built on Kurt Lewin’s well-known
theory, the Force Field Problem Solving Model
gives participants a five-step process that starts
with defining the situation and ends with a clear
strategy for execution.
The concept behind the Force Field Model is
that any situation is the result of opposing
forces, some of which push for positive problem
resolution and others that push against positive
resolution. Problem solvers can change a
situation for the better by changing the forces
that impact it.
L E A R N I N G O U T C O M E S
• Learn basic task and process skills to apply to
problems
• Distinguish between Driving Forces and
Restraining Forces
• Understand how Drivers and Restrainers
impact problem solving
• Discover how to design a problem-solving
action plan
Facilitator Set Includes facilitator guide, workshop instructions, sample participant materials, and
PowerPoint presentation $141
Self Assessment $17.90