Problem
Solving and Decision Making
Class Syllabus
Introduction
Learning Objectives
Class Organization and Grading
Grading Policies
The Textbook and Order Form
Reading Ahead
Withdrawl/Refund Policy
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Introduction
Most
construction supervisors will tell you they spend
much of their day solving problems and making decisions.
Many of them define their effectiveness based upon
their ability to solve problems yet, most construction
supervisors have not had any formal training in problem
solving and decision making.
The
truth is that most untrained construction supervisors
spend way too much time solving problems and they
are often not very good at it. Knowledge of
the formal process of solving problems and making
decisions is essential for the professional construction
supervisor.
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Learning
objectives:
By
the end of this class you should:
- Be
able to use basic problem solving and decision
making skills in your every day construction duties.
- Be
able to function more effectively in the management
of your crew and jobs.
- Be
able to identify reactive problem solving.
- Be
able to utilize and exercise the principles of
proactive problem solving..
- Be
able to identify barriers to creative thinking
and problem solving.
- Be
able to establish a problem solving environment
in your workplace.
- Be
able to solve both human performance and technical
problems
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Class
Organization and Grading
The
following table lists the learning modules, the maximum
value in points a student can receive within each
module, and the time in which the modules must be
finished.
| Module |
Point
Value |
By
End of Week |
| 0.
Student Orientation |
0 |
Before
start |
| 1.
Problems in Construction |
25 |
1 |
| 2.
Establishing a Problem Solving Environment |
25 |
2 |
| 3.
Human Performance Problems |
25 |
3 |
| 4.
Reactive Problem Solving |
25 |
4 |
| 5.
The Decision Making Process |
25 |
5 |
| 6. Labor
Costs and Subcontractors |
25 |
6 |
| 7.
Proactive Problem Reduction |
25 |
7 |
| 8.
Production Process Improvement |
25 |
8 |
| 9.
Project Wide Applications |
25 |
9 |
| 10.
Special Problems |
25 |
10 |
| Total
Points |
250 |
|
It
is important that the student keep up with the class
and not fall behind. Course modules will
be made available to students on Sunday of each week.
Class work must be completed before the following
Monday. Students will not be able to work ahead
of the class although reading assignments will be
made available in advance. Actual dates
that modules will become available will be posted
in advance on the course calendar.
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Grading
Policies
Graded
assignments will consist of one quiz for each module
and participation in at least two class discussions.
Each quiz will count 10 points and class discussions
will count 15 points per module. You can see
that I consider class discussions to be a very important
part of this course. Students learn more and
learn better when they discuss the topic at hand.
For that reason, I consider the regular weekly discussions
to be even more important than the weekly quizzes.
Grades
will be posted on a weekly basis. You will have
full access to your grade sheet so you will be able
to keep track of how you are doing at all times.
Your
overall grade in the course will be determined by
the total number of points you have accumulated on
quizzes and assignments. The grading scale
is as follows:
You
will be given more information about the grading and
other course matters in the Orientation Module.
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The
Textbook
The
textbook for this class is Unit 3, Problem Solving
and Decision Making (S) 6th Edition, Participants
Manual.
Order
Unit
3, Problem Solving and Decision Making (S) 6th Edition,
Participants Manual directly from the AGC by clicking
on the link. Cost of the book is approximately
$156.
We
are in no way associated with the AGC. The link
to the book is provided only for your convenience.
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Reading
Ahead
This
table details the reading assignments for the entire
course. This will give you opportunity to read
ahead and get a jump on upcoming modules.
| Module |
Reading
Assignment |
Start
Date |
| 0.
Student Orientation |
|
Optional/
Week 1 |
| 1.
Problems in Construction |
Read
Unit 1 |
Week
1 |
| 2.
Establishing a Problem Solving Environment |
Read
Unit 2, |
Week
2 |
| 3.
Human Performance Problems |
Read
Unit 3 |
Week
3 |
| 4.
Reactive Problem Solving |
Read
Unit 4 |
Week
4 |
| 5.
The Decision Making Process |
Read
Unit 5 |
Week
5 |
| 6. Labor
Costs and Subcontractors |
Read
Unit 6 |
Week
6 |
| 7.
Proactive Problem Reduction |
Read
Unit 7 |
Week
7 |
| 8.
Production Process Improvement |
Read
Unit 8 |
Week
8 |
| 9.
Project Wide Applications |
Read
Unit 9 |
Week
9 |
| 10.
Special Problems |
Read
Unit 10 |
Week
10 |
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WITHDRAWAL
POLICY
You
may withdraw from a course by sending an email to
PSmith@aspeNational.org
or by conventional mail requesting to be dropped from
the course. Non-attendance or notifying the
instructor does not constitute officially dropping
or withdrawing from a course. Students who stop
attending courses without officially dropping will
receive a grade of U in the class. Refunds are
not automatic. NO refunds are due unless the course
is officially dropped within stated guidelines in
the refund schedule.
Refund
Schedule
| a.
|
Withdrawal
postmarked at least one working day before
the first day of class – total fee
less a $20 handling fee. |
| b.
|
Refund
requests postmarked on or after the first
day and no later than two weeks after the
first day of class will be refunded 65%
of the fee, after which time there is no
refund. |
| c.
|
Decision
on withdrawals and refunds will be based
on the date when the ASPE Society Business
Office receives written withdrawal notice.
Drops done by mail are effective as of the
postmark date. |
| d.
|
All
course materials including the textbook and
other included supplies must be returned in
their original conditions, shrink wrap unbroken,
or a $100 charge will apply. |
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