Question 1

The Journalists' Six Questions technique is best utilized during which step of the problem solving process?

Accepted Answer

The Journalists' Six Questions technique is primarily used to gather information and obtain a detailed understanding of the problem. Therefore, it is best utilized during the initial step of identifying and defining the problem.

Question 2

are a comprehensive set of rules that prescribe how to take action on specific issues that come before the group.

Accepted Answer

Parliamentary procedures are a set of rules that prescribe how to conduct meetings and make decisions in a group. These procedures are designed to ensure fairness, efficiency, and order in group decision-making processes.

Question 3

During their problem solving meeting,the group has finished analyzing the problem and is now in the brainstorming process.Marty offers up an idea and Annie,another group member,shouts,"That is a fantastic idea!" Based on this example,what should this group keep in mind when brainstorming?

Accepted Answer

During brainstorming, the focus should be on generating ideas without judgment or evaluation, including avoiding criticism to encourage open and creative thinking.

Question 4

When referring to the concepts of structure and interaction,your textbook recommends .

Accepted Answer

A balance of structure and interaction is recommended because too much structure can stifle creativity and limit communication, while too much interaction can lead to unproductive discussions and lack of focus. Finding a balance between the two allows for effective communication and productivity.

Question 5

After defining the problem Bart's problem solving team started brainstorming about possible solutions.Which step to effective problem solving did Brat's team skip?

Accepted Answer

After identifying the problem, the next step should be to analyze the problem before brainstorming solutions. This step was skipped by Bart's team.

Question 6

If a team examines the causes,effects,symptoms,history,and other information that will inform the team about how to best solve the problem,the group is conducting a _.

Accepted Answer

The team is conducting a problem analysis by examining the causes, effects, symptoms, and history of the problem to gain a better understanding of it before identifying potential solutions.

Question 7

When deciding whether to have a meeting,which of the following is NOT listed as a reason to hold a meeting?

Accepted Answer

Meetings are typically held for collaboration, handling complex tasks or projects, and addressing potential resistance to decisions or solutions. However, when people are embroiled in tension and conflict, a meeting might not be the best initial approach, as it could exacerbate the situation rather than resolve it.

Question 8

Ralph is setting the agenda for his upcoming department meeting and does not know where to place the quarterly reports and status updates,which can be distributed by memo or email if needed.Where should Ralph place the reports on the agenda?

Accepted Answer

The quarterly reports and status updates are not urgent or critical topics and can be discussed towards the end of the meeting. Placing them at the beginning or in the middle may give the impression that they are more important than they actually are. The second item discussed may also not be the most appropriate place, as it should be reserved for a more important topic that requires immediate attention.

Question 9

During which phase in the problem solving process should you develop a clear action plan and make a written list of who should do what?

Accepted Answer

Developing a clear action plan and making a written list of who should do what is part of the testing and implementation phase in the problem solving process. This is the final step where the chosen solution is put into action.

Question 10

A structured conversation among a small group of people who gather to accomplish a specific task is referred to as a(n) .

Accepted Answer

The term "meeting" best describes a structured conversation among a small group of people who gather to accomplish a specific task. The other choices are too general and do not specifically convey the purpose of the group's interaction.

Question 11

Which of the following is a characteristic of structure?

Accepted Answer

A well organized agenda is a characteristic of structure because it helps to create a framework for the meeting and keeps it on schedule. Characteristics B, C, and D relate more to the process of discussion and decision-making within the meeting, rather than the overall structure.

Question 12

is the final step in the problem solving process.

Accepted Answer

Testing and implementing the solution is the final step in the problem solving process. This involves putting the solution into action and evaluating its effectiveness. Before implementation, ensure that the solution is feasible and that it addresses the root cause of the problem.

Question 13

Rick does not like his weekly staff meeting because they last for hours and nothing seems to ever get done.The whole staff discusses each topic and there are lengthy give-and -takes between each department member.Rick's staff meeting suffers from too much .

Accepted Answer

Rick's staff meeting suffers from too much interaction, as indicated by the lengthy discussions and give-and-takes between each department member, which leads to meetings that last for hours without much being accomplished.

Question 14

The process of overcoming obstacles to achieve a goal is referred to as .

Accepted Answer

Problem solving involves identifying and overcoming obstacles in order to achieve a goal. Meeting agendas and decision making are related concepts but do not fully capture the idea of overcoming obstacles. Solution focused is a term used to describe a specific type of counseling approach and is not relevant to this question.

Question 15

When should an agenda be distributed?

Accepted Answer

The agenda should be distributed before the meeting so that participants can review it and come prepared with any necessary information or questions.

Question 16

Too much ,and meeting members experience the chaos of unbridled,unfocused talk: it's hard to stay on task.Too much ,and one person dominates,the team loses freedom to listen and respond with sensitivity to what others are saying.

Accepted Answer

The sentence talks about the negative effects of too much interaction and unbridled talk. It also suggests that one person can dominate and affect the team's ability to listen and respond with sensitivity. Therefore, the best choice is B, where the two options are interaction and structure. The sentence implies that a balance needs to be struck between the two to avoid chaos and ensure effectiveness.

Question 17

A written list of issues,questions,information,or topics to be discussed or tasks to be completed in a meeting is referred to as a(n) .

Accepted Answer

An agenda is a written list of issues, questions, information, or topics to be discussed or tasks to be completed in a meeting. It is used to provide structure and direction to a meeting and ensures that all necessary topics are covered. A reference document is a document used as a point of reference or information for a meeting but is not necessarily an outline or list of topics. Gatekeeper refers to a person who controls access to a particular area or information. Formal document refers to a legal or official document that is recognized as such.

Question 18

According your textbook which of the following is NOT one of the common goals of a meeting?

Accepted Answer

Resolving conflict is not considered a common goal of a meeting according to the textbook. The common goals of a meeting include sharing information, taking action, and discussing information.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a method suggested by your textbook to whittle down a long list of possible solutions?

Accepted Answer

Randomly selecting solutions is not a recommended method for whittling down a long list of possible solutions. The other options (ranking, rating, and voting) all involve some form of comparison or evaluation to help narrow down the list.

Question 20

A team has just been assembled to determine how to make their customer service center more efficient.The first question that was posed was "What is the specific problem that concerns us?" After spending time answering that question,they then moved on to the question of "What do we want more or less of?" What phase in the problem solving process is this group in?

Accepted Answer

The group is in the first phase of the problem solving process, which is to identify and define the problem. They have posed the question of "What is the specific problem that concerns us?" to begin this phase.

Quiz 10: Enhancing Team Meetings