Name:

Date:
CM 1
Lesson: Appendix 2.02 (7) Team Problem—Solving Case Study

Problem-Solving Case Study - Appendix 2.02 (7)

Directions: Review the following case study. Then use the problem-solving
steps that follow to assist you to solve the problem.

Case Study: Baron's Cafe is a restaurant specializing in Italian food that seats
50 customers. It is open every day for lunch and dinner. Weekend nights are
always busy, with the wait time often being an hour. On a typical weekend night,
the front room is fully staffed with one hostess, five waiters, and two bussers.
There is one manager on duty for both the front room and the kitchen areas.

This Saturday night, a group has reserved half the seats for a party from 5
to 8 p.m. Three waiters and one busser have notified the manager that they
cannot work Saturday night. The manager calls a meeting of the staff to develop
an action plan. The staff must address the staffing problem and be prepared to
handle possible complaints about prices, food quality, and/or service.

STEP 1: IDENTIFY AND ANALYZE THE PROBLEM.

1. What is the problem?

2. What criteria define the problem?

3. What are your constraints?

Name:
Date:
CM 1
Lesson: Appendix 2.02 (7) Team Problem—Solving Case Study

STEP 2: COLLECT AND ANALYZE DATA.

1. What do you need to know about the problem that you don't already know?

2. What information/resources are available to you to help you solve this problem?

Step 3: Consider possible solutions.

1. What are some possible solutions developed by your team through

brainstorming?

STEP 4: CHOOSE THE BEST PLAN.

1. Considering your answers in Step 1, which plan seems best? Why?

STEP 5: IMPLEMENT THE PLAN.

1. What clues might indicate that the plan is (is not) working?
Name:
Date:
CM 1
Lesson: Appendix 2.02 (7) Team Problem—Solving Case Study

STEP 6: OBSERVE, EVALUATE, AND ADJUST.

1. If this plan fails, what would your team recommend doing next time?

2. What resources/information/team practices assisted your team in the

problem-solving process? Give details.