NAME : THANDEKA NCUBE

STUDENT NUMBER : N0183156F

FACULTY : INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY AND

MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

PROGRAMME : CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

COURSE CODE : TCE2102

COURSE NAME : PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SKILLS

QUESTION A1: State and explain 5 steps used in a rational approach when making a
decision. [10]

When making good decisions, there are five steps that need to be considered. These steps are
as follows:

1. Identify the problem at hand and identify limiting factors.

Identify the problem and ascertain it. If the problem is stated incorrectly or unclearly
then the decisions tend to be wrong and difficult to come out with. It is best to gather
necessary information that is directly related to the problem as it helps one to better
understand what needs to be done in solving the problem, and will also help to
generate ideas for a possible solution. . Until there is a clear understanding of the
problem, it is meaningless to proceed.

2. Develop potential alternatives

One should think through and investigate several alternative solutions to a single
problem before making a quick decision. One of the best known methods for
developing alternatives is through brainstorming, where a group works together to
generate ideas and alternative solutions.

3. Analysis of the potential alternatives

The purpose of this step is to decide the relative merits of each idea. It is carried out
by identifying the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative solution,
performing of a cost-benefit analysis for each alternative, ranking each alternative
relative to its ability to meet each factor, and then multiply by a probability factor to
provide a final value for each alternative.

4. Select the best alternative

After a manager has analysed all the alternatives, she must decide on the best one.
The best alternative is the one that produces the most advantages and the fewest
serious disadvantages.
 5. Implement the decision and establish a control and evaluation system
The decision has to be implemented and on-going actions needs to be monitored. An
evaluation system should provide feedback on how well the decision is being
implemented, what the results are, and what adjustments are necessary to get the
results that were intended when the solution was chosen. In order for a manager to
evaluate his decision, he needs to gather information to determine its effectiveness.

QUESTION A2: What do you understand by the following:

(a) Programmed decision making. [1]

These are decisions related to structured situations, where the problem
is more or less routine and repetitive in nature. The use of alternatives
from past experience, it can be a daily alternative, for example, an
accountant’s decision on a new entry.

(b) Non-programmed decision making. [1]

These decisions are taken in unstructured situations which reflect
novel, ill-defined and complex problems. The problems are non-
recurring or exceptional in nature.

QUESTION A3: The theories of motivation such as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs are
considered to be promoting laziness among workers in any given organisation. Giving
examples, comment whether this statement is valid or not? [10]

When viewing the assertion above which postulates that the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs are
considered to be promoting laziness among workers in any given organisation, my opinion
lies to a lesser extent, whereas the opinion to a greater extent lies on to the factor that it
motivates workers.

Maslow’s theory of motivation states that employee’s need have to be satisfied, hence, a
manager would need to satisfy employees needs to motivate them at work. This can be done
through, for example, an employee lacking the physiological need like shelter can actually be
given accommodation, his bills taken care of. Once his need is satisfied, it is no longer a
motivator because he would want to take action only to satisfy unmet needs hence if he gets
all the needs satisfied by the Maslow’s theory of motivation he has no action to take, thus
laziness is promoted. For example, with bonuses based on productivity, employees will
accomplish more and meet higher quotas if they know they will receive additional pay.
However, they may take shortcuts and produce lower-quality work because they are focused
more on quantity hence the level of laziness increases in an organisation.

However, there are other factors such as motivation that the Maslow’s theory promotes.
Motivation refers to the psychological processes that stimulate excitement and persistence of
voluntary actions aimed at some goal. Maslow’s theory of needs serve to interpret human
behaviour and motivation. It has relevance in modern-day applications, especially in the
world of business. Managers, for example, can benefit from understanding their employees’
basic human needs of friendship, job security, and recognition for a task well done. Creating
an environment which meets these needs will result in self-actualized team members who
operate at their full potential for the business promoting a good work-life balance. Therefore
this indicates a higher productivity rate and therefore supports that the theory motivates
workers to a greater extent.

QUESTION A4: State and explain the sources of stress. [8]

Stress comes out as a result of organisational factors, environmental factors and individual
factors.

a) Organisational factors
These comprise of factors such as task demands where one is burdened with too much
workload or responsibility. Administrative policy is another cause of stress as other
work policies are strict, for example, employees tend to feel that they do not get
support from their co-workers and managers when they are not involved in decision
making. Interpersonal factor, where one may not be in good books with his or her
colleague at work also stresses. Leader ship is another factor where leaders tend to
sexually harass ladies at work and this stresses a lot of women to an extent that they
may start the practice of absenteeism.

b) Environmental factors
These comprise of economic uncertainties such as price fluctuations, fuel crisis and
money losing its value. Political factors also result in stress as they are the key behind
 the implementation of sanctions and banning of trade hence an organisations based on
trading tend to have it productivity reduced and hence stresses the manager.

c) Individual factors
These include family issues such as divorces, the loss of loved ones and family fights.
Inherent personal characteristics such as dishonest can also lead to stress, as well as
economic factors, to think of where n how to get money when there is financial crisis
to pay expenses and the high electric bills can stress an individual.

QUESTION A5: State and explain the various ways by which people at work waste
time. [5]

Workers tend to waste working time on their cell phones, texting and on social media. About
50% working hours are taken up by the use of cell phones. They also tend to gossip during
working hours and that eats up a lot of time. The internet is another factor influencing
workers to waste time. A couple, for example, might start checking on wedding outfits and
perfect dates during working hours, hence, wasting a lot of time. Workers also tend to waste
time on snacks and smoke breaks, they tend to extend the break period thereby wasting more
and more work time. Creation of unnecessary meetings during working hours also takes up a
lot of time, visitors also take up working time as one would have to stop working and attend
to the visitors. Taking pictures in the bathroom and sleeping during working hours also
wastes a lot of working time.