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Submitted by Group B
Anderson, Alyssa
Corwell, Anika
Horrocks, Jaclyn
Humphries, Sarah
Salt Lake Community College
COMM 1010-405 Su15
July, 21 2015
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Project Description
Methods
Part
4
Part
4-6
Part
7
Part
7-8
Part
I: Problem Question
II: Analyzing the Problem
III: Setting Criteria
IV: Brainstorming Solutions
V: Analyzing Solutions
8-9
Part VI: Implementing the Solution
10-11
Conclusion
12
Works Cited
13
Appendices
Appendix 1: Team Contract
14
Appendix 2: Comparison Chart
15
Appendix 3: Participation Points
16
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Executive Summary
The following report is a group project regarding the decision making process
focusing on the PAC_BOY acronym method. The problem question Group B
chose to analyze was to determine a cleaning schedule for a group of
individuals living together. Our goal was to divide the tasks evenly while not
causing offence to anyone.
Our group used the PAC_BOY method to reach the most appropriate solution.
This was done by evaluating the problem at hand and formulating a question
to answer, then the problem was analyzed and criteria set for the solution.
Once we had an idea of what we wanted to accomplish we brainstormed
possible solutions and weighted their effectiveness. Lastly we implemented
our chosen solution.
As a group we decided the most effective solution was to have a rotating
chore chart that all roommates help to implement. This allows all members
to take pride and responsibility in their living environment while
strengthening communication.
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Project Description
There are five friends who decided to all go to the same school together and
become roommates. As the school work piled up the house began to get very
messy and no one seemed to want to clean up, especially if it wasnt their
mess. It started to also put a damper on their friendships because everyone
was getting upset and hostile. One or two individuals were the ones being
lazy and not helping keep the house tidy so they decided to come up with
different solutions for what they can do to create a cleaning schedule that
does not offend anyone and also is divided equally.
We are group B, four students enrolled at Salt Lake Community College in
COMM 1010. We were assigned to solve the problem of living with messy
housemates that are your friends, but end up not keeping their end of the
bargain when they get busy with school work. This creates a dilemma
between friends. Our open ended question was, "How can the housemates
determine a cleaning schedule that divides responsibilities evenly and does
not offend anyone?" Three of the five roommates are not helping with
keeping the house clean. That can cause stress and tension in the house. It
could also hurt friendships. We brainstormed some ideas to help keep the
hours tidy but also keep the chores fair.
We decided on the solution to rotate chore responsibilities and making a
chore chart for the roommates to follow. The roommates will decide what
chores will be on the chart, the frequency of the rotation, make the chart
then they will all sign a contract saying they will follow the chart and do their
part. Its very important to find a solution to this type of problem and
communicate with each other. This can affect so many people in a negative
way. Its good to accept responsibilities and take pride in your home so you
all enjoy living there.
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Methods
To begin our journey as a team, we commenced by constructing a Team
Contract where we listed the roles and norms for each member (see
Appendix 1). Then, we applied the most practiced problem-solving method,
the reflective-thinking sequence, to begin solving our problem. (Adler,
Elmhorst, & Lucas, p. 236) The reflective-thinking system is a seven-step
method. As a group we went through each of these seven steps below in
order to come up with the best resolution for our problem. This method helps
you look at all angles of the problem and any negative impacts possible
solutions may present with. Below we will go into full detail about all of the
methods and findings we came up with each step of the way. After
completion, we have assigned participation points to each member in our
group based on how well they contributed to the overall quality and end
product of our project. (see Appendix 3).
Part I: Problem Question
We used an open-ended question to state our problem. This was to avoid
coming up with only one solution that would work for that particular
question. We also didnt want our question to be too broad. We went by a
motto from the book when choosing our problem question, which was: The
best problem statements are phrased as probative questions that encourage
exploratory thinking. (Adler, Elmhorst, & Lucas, p. 236)
As a group, we unanimously agree that our problem question would be: How
can the housemates determine a cleaning schedule that divides
responsibilities evenly and does not offend anyone?
Part II: Analysis of the Problem
A. Characteristics
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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
B. Stakeholders
1. Manager of the building: If the roommates let the house get
dirty enough the manager of the building could possibly face
code violations. He may also have to end up replacing certain
parts of the home due to permanent damage from not being
properly maintained. It is also stressful and disrespectful to him
that they are not taking care of the property. The managers goal
is to have his tenants respect and maintain his property
according to the contact/lease that was signed when they moved
in.
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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C. Final Solution
Solutions two (make a chore list) and four (rotating chore
responsibilities) tied for the highest-ranking when it came to our
chart. We also know from learning about the reflective thinking
sequence that we need to embrace our common sense, intuition,
and logic when deciding on our final solution. We again reviewed
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5.
Conclusion
As a group of four students enrolled in Communications 1010 at Salt Lake
Community College we were given the challenge of solving an issue among
roommates that were also friends. The issue was that some of the
roommates were falling behind and failing to do their cleaning duties which
put the other roommates in a bind.
We used the PAC_BOY problem solving technique that brought us to the
solution of making a chore chart that everyone in the house would agree on.
The chart would list the cleaning duties and the duties would also rotate
each month. We decided on this because everyone could have their input on
making the chore chart and be able to agree on what was included on the
chart. This way there would not have to be a confrontation or loss of
friendship due to the animosity that was growing among some of the
roommates due to chores not being done. If everyone agrees on the chart
then if they dont do their part it would be okay for the other roommates to
say something to them without feeling out of place because that roommate
agreed to the chore chart.
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Works Cited
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1.
2.
3.
4.
Harmonizer- Alyssa
Empathetic Listener- Anika
Participation Encourager- Jaclyn
Tension Reliever- Sarah
Task roles:
1. Director (leader)- Alyssa
2. Gatekeeper- Anika
3. Reality Tester- Jaclyn
4. Starter/Energizer- Sarah
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Make a
chore
list
Hire a
maid
Pride
Totals:
16
50
26
50
12
10
Apply principles
of effective
communication
Be achievable
within our fourweek time frame
Cost less than
$25/month total
Ease the tension
between
roommates
Have a good,
clean
environment to
live in
Form a closer
bond between
friends
Greater respect
for one another
Encourage open
communication
Each roommate
will feel
gratification by
doing their part
Dont
No
allow the
Rotating Internet
messy
chore
access if
person
responsi
you
to wash
bilities
dont
their
clean
clothes
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Alyssa took a leadership role in our group from day one. She set
up a Google Drive meeting for everyone on our team to utilize.
Alyssa also submitted each of our weekly team documents to
Canvas, met all above listed criteria, and compiled the Conclusion
for the final project.
Jaclyn always came prepared to our meetings and was usually the
first member of the group at the location. She met every item on
our list of criteria. Jaclyn also created the Executive Summary,
Table of Contents, and Title Page for our final project.
Anika adequately met all of the criteria listed above. She also
contributed to our group by completing the History in Meeting 2,
and writing the Project Description for our final project.
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