Assignment 2: Finding and Analyzing Exceptional

Problems

Instructions

Complete all grey parts of this template. Enter your response to each question in the box that follows.
Do not limit your responses to the size of the box. The box should automatically resize as you type.

Step 1: Choose your problem

On some scrap paper (you don’t have to show your work here), brainstorm some problems that you
think might be “exceptional.” Use Larry Smith’s steps to guide you, and take note of the steps that you
used.

Additionally, your problem should be:

 Something you are least a little familiar with; perhaps it exists in your workplace
 Something notable, if not newsworthy, so you’ll be able to find articles written about it
 Something that you could theoretically solve—that doesn’t mean you have the resources at your
disposal, but that you can imagine yourself in a position with those resources, or what those
resources would be

Once you have brainstormed a list of at least five problems, choose the one best suited to the above
criteria. If you proceed with a problem that you can’t find an article about, you’ll still have a few
problems left on your list to choose from.

Step 2: Find your article

Find your article using appropriate business-oriented media (Larry Smith’s Step Two), such as those
databases listed in the “How to Search Business-Oriented Media” section of the Unit 4 Learn section.
You may, of course, find more than one article on the same topic.

Your article should provide you with enough information that you can:

 Apply the cause/effect (fishbone) diagram or the 5 whys analysis to it

 Identify, or at least infer/intuit, stakeholders and some information about them
 Identify, or at least infer/intuit, risks

Step 3: Analyze your problem

Answer the following questions. Be sure to adhere to expectations for proper citation (quoting,
paraphrasing, summarizing, etc.).

PD6 Problem Solving Assignment 2 1

1. Provide a link to your article, along with the title and author. If you read more than one article on the
same topic, list them all.

https://global-factiva-com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/ga/default.aspx?imt=2
Building resilient workforce: Why prioritizing mental health support, wellness is essential for future-
ready MSMEs
The Economic Times

2. Clearly and concisely describe the problem that you researched. Challenge: Try to distill it to the
length of a tweet (280 characters), but don’t assume your audience’s level of knowledge of your subject
matter.

MSMEs need to prioritize mental health in the workplace for sustained growth. Neglecting employee
well-being leads to higher turnover, reduced productivity, and increased operational costs. Fostering
a positive work environment and implementing mental health programs are crucial for a resilient and
future-ready workforce.

3. Which of Larry Smith’s steps did you use when choosing your problem? All seven steps are provided
for you below, but you only need to fill in the spaces for those that you used. The seven steps are
shortened here—be sure to view the lecture for full explanations.

Clearly explain why and how you applied the step(s) you used. The why may be your subjective reasons
e.g. your personal research methodology, or it may be your objective reasons e.g. the facts presented in
your article lent better to one step or the other. Either way, explain. Bullet point answers are acceptable
in the table.

Step Explain why you applied this Explain how you applied
step. this step.
1. Open discussions with others,
with the intention of finding
killer problems.
2. Find out what business-oriented I applied this step to ensure I conducted extensive
media say about the problem. that the problem I chose was research over a span of two
Search over at least two years’ notable and had a consistent years to gather information
span, looking especially for presence in business-oriented on the chosen problem,
problems that pop up again and media. "Mental Health in the
again. Workplace." I looked for
articles, reports, and
discussions regarding this
issue in various business-
related sources.
3. Compare what different media I applied this step to ensure I compared the information

PD6 Problem Solving Assignment 2 2

 say about the problem. that the problem was well- I gathered from business-
Compare what the media say to documented and widely oriented media with
what others (colleagues, recognized, both in media and discussions and opinions
customers, peers, etc.) say among professionals. from colleagues and peers.
about the problem. This helped validate the
significance and prevalence
of the problem.
4. Look for anything that is
constantly failing to perform its
function (software, machinery,
services, facilities, etc.). Ask why
the problem hasn’t yet been
solved.
5. Look for high costs or rapidly I applied this step to I researched if there were
rising costs. Ask why costs are understand the potential any statistics or reports
rising. economic impact of the chosen indicating that neglecting
problem on organizations, mental health in the
particularly MSMEs. workplace leads to high
costs, such as increased
turnover and decreased
productivity. This helped
highlight the financial
implications of not
addressing this issue.
6. Look for customers who have I applied this step to consider I sought information on how
problems with what they’re the impact of the problem on employees' mental health
buying. the employees (the and well-being were
"customers" of the workplace affected by workplace
environment). conditions. This helped
emphasize the human
element of the problem and
its impact on individual
employees.
7. Look for efficiency
opportunities, but only after
you have done steps 1-6.

4. Is your problem exceptional? Why or why not? Ensure you reference and cite course content, such as
Larry Smith’s lecture, in your response. Keep in mind that it’s okay if your problem isn’t exceptional - you
are learning to recognize this trait. Any problem is an opportunity to grow your skills and your career!

Yes, the chosen problem of "Mental Health in the Workplace" can be considered exceptional.
In Larry Smith's lecture, he emphasizes that exceptional problems are those that are both notable and
have the potential to be solved. This problem meets these criteria for the following reasons:

Notability: Mental health in the workplace is a subject that has gained significant attention in recent

PD6 Problem Solving Assignment 2 3

 years, both in media and academic circles. The lecture highlights the importance of finding problems
that are discussed in business-oriented media over a span of at least two years. This problem meets
this criterion as it is widely recognized and discussed in various sources.
Potential for Solution: The problem of mental health in the workplace is not only recognized but also
has potential solutions. The lecture emphasizes that exceptional problems should be ones that can be
theoretically solved. In this case, there are established practices, strategies, and interventions that
organizations can implement to address mental health issues in the workplace. While resources may
be a factor, the problem is theoretically solvable.
Furthermore, the problem of mental health in the workplace aligns with the modern understanding of
the importance of employee well-being in organizational success. It has a direct impact on individual
and organizational success, job satisfaction, and work-life balance, as mentioned in the provided text.
Overall, the problem of "Mental Health in the Workplace" meets the criteria of being both notable
and theoretically solvable, making it an exceptional problem according to Larry Smith's framework.

Step 4: Gather data

Answer the following questions, giving as much detail as your article provides. You may need to make
inferences for b. Again, a reminder to adhere to expectations for proper citation (quoting, paraphrasing,
summarizing, etc.).

How do you know that there is a problem?

a. What is being seen or heard that provides you with evidence of the problem? What have you
been told?

b. What do you still need to know?

 Statistics and Trends: The article discusses the significance of mental health in the
workplace and its impact on individual and organizational success. It provides statistics and
trends, indicating that there is a growing awareness of this issue in the business world. For
instance, it mentions that many employees experience stress, anxiety, and burnout,
especially in high-pressure environments.
 Financial Implications: The article points out that neglecting mental health issues in the
workplace can lead to high costs for organizations. It suggests that failing to address mental
health problems can result in increased turnover, reduced productivity, and higher
operational costs.
 Emphasis on Employee Well-being: The article emphasizes the importance of organizations
acknowledging and addressing their employees' mental health needs. It highlights that
when employers prioritize mental health, it leads to improved overall well-being, reduced
stress, increased job satisfaction, and enhanced work-life balance.
 Impact on Organizational Reputation: The article discusses how prioritizing mental health
support and wellness programs can enhance an organization's reputation. It suggests that

PD6 Problem Solving Assignment 2 4

 organizations seen as progressive and compassionate towards their workforce are viewed
favorably by potential employees, customers, partners, and stakeholders.

 Specific Case Studies or Examples: It would be helpful to have specific case studies or
examples of organizations that have successfully implemented mental health programs and
the outcomes they experienced. This would provide practical insights into effective
strategies.
 Industry-Specific Data: It would be beneficial to know if there are specific industries or
sectors where mental health issues are particularly prevalent. Understanding industry-
specific challenges could lead to more tailored solutions.
 Information on Available Resources: While the article emphasizes the importance of
prioritizing mental health, it doesn't delve into the specific resources or programs that
organizations can implement. Knowing about available tools and resources would be
valuable for practical implementation.
 Global Perspective: The article provides a general perspective, but it would be interesting to
know if there are regional or cultural differences in how mental health is addressed in the
workplace.

Step 5a: Determine possible causes

Choose either the cause/effect (fishbone) diagram or 5 whys analysis to identify many possible causes of
your problem. Use your article to fill in as much detail as possible, but feel free to make reasonable
inferences.

5 whys analysis

Problem/symptom:

WHY are there mental health issues in the workplace?

Possible Cause: High Workload and Pressure

WHY is there a high workload and pressure in the workplace?

Possible Cause: Inadequate Staffing Levels

WHY are there inadequate staffing levels?

Possible Cause: Budget Constraints and Cost-cutting Measures

WHY are there budget constraints and cost-cutting measures?

Possible Cause: Economic Uncertainty and Competitive Pressures

WHY is there economic uncertainty and competitive pressures?

PD6 Problem Solving Assignment 2 5

 Possible Cause: Global Market Instability and Industry Disruptions

Check your analysis to ensure your conclusions logically flow from one to the next!

PD6 Problem Solving Assignment 2 6

PD6 Problem Solving Assignment 2 7
PD6 Problem Solving Assignment 2 8
Summarize your findings from the 5 whys or cause and effect analysis by answering the following
questions:

a. What has caused past failures? Why do you think that?

Inadequate Staffing Levels: This may have led to high workloads and pressure on
employees, contributing to mental health issues. Inadequate staffing can lead to burnout
and increased stress levels among existing employees.
Budget Constraints and Cost-cutting Measures: These economic factors may have resulted
in insufficient resources being allocated to addressing mental health concerns. This can lead
to a lack of adequate support and programs for employees.
Economic Uncertainty and Competitive Pressures: These broader economic and industry
dynamics may have forced organizations to prioritize cost-cutting measures over employee
well-being initiatives.

b. Is there any evidence that this could not be the current problem? Is there any evidence that
this could be the current problem? Why do you think that?
The provided article emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health in the
workplace, indicating that it is indeed a prevalent issue in contemporary business
environments.
The article provides statistics and trends indicating that many employees experience stress,
anxiety, and burnout, especially in high-pressure environments. This aligns with the
identified causes in the 5 Whys analysis.
The article highlights the financial implications of neglecting mental health in the workplace,
which further supports the identified causes. This suggests that organizations may be facing
challenges in adequately addressing mental health due to economic constraints.

Step 6: Determine stakeholders

Answer the following questions, giving as much detail as your article provides. You may also need to
make inferences at this point. Go beyond the obvious – think critically. Who are the people or groups
who have an interest in seeing the problem solved? How can they help you? (What insight do they
have? What resources can they provide?) Use the table.

People or Groups Insights Resources

(Who are the people or groups (What insights do the (What resources can the
who have an interest in seeing stakeholders have that would stakeholders provide?)
the problem solved?) be valuable in creating a
solution?)
Employees Insights: They have firsthand They can provide feedback,
experience with the challenges participate in surveys or focus
and stressors in the workplace, groups, and contribute to the
providing valuable insights into development of mental health
the specific mental health issues programs.
they face.

PD6 Problem Solving Assignment 2 9

 Managers/Supervisors They have a direct role in They can support the
employee management and can implementation of mental
observe signs of mental health health programs, allocate
struggles. They may have resources, and provide training
insights into workload on managing employee well-
distribution and team dynamics. being.
Executives They can provide strategic They can champion mental
direction and allocate health initiatives, allocate
budgetary resources to address budget for programs, and set
mental health concerns. organizational policies
prioritizing employee well-
being.
Industry Associations They may have industry-specific They can provide industry-
data on mental health trends specific knowledge, share best
and best practices. practices, and potentially offer
resources or training programs.

NB: Add as many rows as needed to thoroughly explore stakeholders.

Step 7: Identify and manage risks

Answer the following questions, giving as much detail as your article provides. You are likely to need to
make inferences at this point.

a. What risks are involved with delays in finding a solution?

Worsening Employee Well-being: The longer a solution is delayed, the more employees may
suffer from mental health issues, potentially leading to increased stress, burnout, and
reduced productivity.
Increased Costs for the Organization: Delaying a solution may lead to higher costs associated
with turnover, absenteeism, and potential legal liabilities related to mental health issues.
Reputation Damage: The organization's reputation may suffer if it is perceived as indifferent
or unresponsive to the well-being of its employees.
Minimization:
 Implement short-term measures like awareness campaigns or workshops while working on a
comprehensive solution.
 Prioritize quick wins and initiatives that can have an immediate positive impact on employee
well-being.

b. What risks are involved with pushing forward with an incorrect solution?
• Ineffective Allocation of Resources: Investing in a solution that doesn't address the
root causes of mental health issues may lead to wasted resources and budget allocation.
• Potentially Exacerbating the Problem: An incorrect solution may inadvertently worsen
the situation by implementing strategies that are ineffective or even counterproductive.

Minimization:

PD6 Problem Solving Assignment 2 10

 Conduct thorough research and involve stakeholders in the solution development process to
ensure it addresses the actual underlying issues.
Pilot test potential solutions on a small scale before full implementation to assess their
effectiveness.

c. How can each risk above be minimized?

Thorough Research and Data-Driven Decision-Making: Base decisions on solid evidence,
including data on employee well-being, turnover rates, and feedback.

Engage Stakeholders: Involve employees, managers, HR, and other relevant stakeholders in
the solution development process to gain diverse perspectives.

Pilot Testing: Test potential solutions on a small scale before full implementation to identify
any unforeseen issues or unintended consequences.

PD6 Problem Solving Assignment 2 11