Supervisory Test Problem Solving and Decision Making

Question 1

What is the FIRST step in a systematic problem-solving process?

Accepted Answer

Identify and define the problem

Answer

Implement a solution

Answer

Evaluate alternatives

Answer

Generate possible solutions

Question 2

A supervisor notices production errors increasing over three consecutive weeks. What is the BEST initial action?

Accepted Answer

Gather data to identify the root cause

Answer

Immediately retrain all employees

Answer

Discipline the employees with the most errors

Answer

Implement a new quality control procedure

Question 3

Which decision-making model assumes a decision-maker can evaluate all possible alternatives and select the optimal solution?

Accepted Answer

Rational model

Answer

Bounded rationality model

Answer

Intuitive model

Answer

Political model

Question 4

A supervisor must make a quick decision with incomplete information and limited time. This situation BEST describes:

Accepted Answer

Bounded rationality

Answer

Programmed decision-making

Answer

Groupthink

Answer

Satisficing

Question 5

Which tool organizes potential causes of a problem into categories such as people, process, equipment, and environment?

Accepted Answer

Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram

Answer

SWOT analysis

Answer

Pareto chart

Answer

Decision tree

Question 6

When a supervisor 'satisfices' in decision-making, they:

Accepted Answer

Select the first solution that meets minimum acceptable criteria

Answer

Find the perfect solution regardless of time constraints

Answer

Delegate the decision entirely to subordinates

Answer

Avoid making a decision until all data is available

Question 7

A Pareto chart is used in problem-solving to:

Accepted Answer

Identify the few causes responsible for the majority of problems

Answer

Compare performance metrics across different teams

Answer

Track individual employee productivity over time

Answer

Map out branching decision alternatives