Problem Solving & Decision Making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Problem Solving & Decision Making - Essay Example Different studies present varying models of a typical decision-making process depending on their perspectives. Some models follow eight steps, others five. For purposes of making intuitive choices, the Harvard Case Approach (HCA) following four steps would be utilized. The four steps of this natural, intuitive decision-making process are: Step 1: Define the problem; Step 2: Alternative Courses of Action; Step 3: Analysis; Step 4: Recommendation. Initially, there is a situation where one of the subordinates, a security personnel, who was scheduled for regular work on a 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM slot, requested for a change in schedule due to emergency reasons. His wife called in early at 8:00 AM and informed the appropriate channels that the security personnel had to undergo immediate surgery for appendectomy. Therefore, he would be on emergency leave for five days. The shift sergeant was immediately informed of the situation and necessary changes in shift schedules have to be reviewed to fill in the temporary vacancy. a. Recall a security personnel on scheduled vacation leave. This option calls for determining a personnel on leave during the five-day period, who can be recalled for emergency purposes and who would be requested to report on the specified 10PM to 6AM schedule for five days. After which, he can resume his leave. b. Require overtime for current security personnel. Utilize security personnel to extend their shifts to at most four hours. Security personnel from the PM shift could extend from 10PM to 2AM and AM shift personnel could be requested to report four hours early (2AM instead of 6AM). The first alternative would entail some time and effort to locate and contact the security personnel on vacation leave. This option’s viability depends on where he is spending his vacation, the time he could return, the persons to be affected