Postgraduate

Problem solving is a necessary activity for all organisations. However, it is frequently ineffective: chronic problems that were supposedly solved re-emerge, and opportunities remain unrealised. Although many organisations have had early successes with mechanisms for problem solving and improvement, these have often foundered over time. This course provides a wide range of problem solving approaches, methods and techniques and examines their underpinning concepts, principles and theoretical backgrounds. It will enable you to investigate problems properly; and generate robust, effective solutions that are sustainable. The course also explores the nature of problems and solutions, and the management of problem solving and improvement.

Register for the course

This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.

What you will study

The rationale for this course rests on two foundations. First, significant advantages to organisations result from adopting a structured approach to problem solving and improvement. Secondly, in order to benefit fully from these advantages, organisations need to ensure that they have the skill set needed to construct and maintain an internal infrastructure that will ensure that the approach is used effectively.

The material is divided into five blocks:

Block 1 Introduction

This block looks at the different types of problems and improvement, and ends by introducing three generic methods.

Block 2 Statistics

No previous knowledge of statistics is needed to study this block. It includes graphical presentation of data; summary measures; probability; probability distributions; and significance testing. It also introduces you to the statistical software package, Minitab.

Block 3 Techniques

This block teaches a very large set of tools and techniques, loosely grouped according to function or type.

Block 4 Methods and approaches

This block covers a range of quality methods and approaches to problem solving and improvement. These include TQM, ISO 9000, the Excellence Model and Six Sigma. It also includes a range of systems approaches, namely the hard systems method, SSM and the Systems Failures Method.

Block 5 Managing problem solving and improvement

Block 5 looks at the context in which problem solving and improvement are undertaken. It also considers the factors that need to be managed to secure commitment, encourage team working, devise effective and sustainable solutions, and achieve successful implementation.

Vocational relevance

The course is for anyone who is interested in improving organisational performance; it is not confined to particular areas of commerce, industry or the public sector. Formal problem solving programmes within organisations have become increasingly common. The National Employers Skills Survey for 2005 (Learning and Skills Council, 2006) found that the lack of problem-solving skills was a particular concern for employers. Indeed, it noted that ‘managers who are not fully proficient are more likely than average to lack IT skills (both general and professional), office administration skills and problem solving skills’ (p.73).

Qualifications

T889 is an optional module in our:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Systems Thinking in Practice (C72)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Technology Management (C49)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Computing for Commerce and Industry (C02)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Development Management (D37)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Decision Making (D38)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Information Systems (E10)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Systems Thinking in Practice (E28)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Technology Management (E08)
• MBA (F02)
• MBA (Technology Management) (F03)
• Master of Public Administration (F44)
• MSc in Computing for Commerce and Industry (F05)
• MSc in Development Management (F11)
• MSc in Environmental Decision Making (F13)
• MSc in Information Systems (F37)
• MSc in Systems Thinking in Practice (F47)
• MSc in Technology Management (F36)

Some postgraduate qualifications allow study to be chosen from other subject areas.  These qualifications allow most postgraduate modules to count towards them. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this module can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.

Excluded combinations

Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.

If you have a disability or additional requirement

The printed study materials are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability. Diagrams are used extensively in the course and you will need to spend substantial amounts of time using a personal computer and the internet.

If you are a new student, or new to study using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our publication Meeting Your Needs.

You can also find information about accessible study materials, the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.

Study materials

What's included

Course books and other printed materials, website, electronic materials, Minitab statistical software, visual material supplied on a DVD.

As Minitab is effectively a Windows application, Mac users would need to install the Boot Camp software.

Computing requirements

You will need a computer with internet access to study this course which includes online activities. You can only access these using a web browser with Flash and Java.

• If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer since 2006 you should have no problems completing the online activities.
• If you’ve got a netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device check our Technical requirements section.
• If you use an Apple Mac you will need OS X 10.5 or later.

You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You will have a tutor who will be responsible for monitoring your progress on the course, marking and commenting on your written work and whom you can contact for advice and guidance. Your tutor will also mediate an online forum for your tutor group in which participation is optional. There is also a separate online forum for all students on T889. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.

Assessment

The assessment details can be found in the facts box above.

You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.

Professional recognition

T889 supports an open learning route towards CQI membership. OU students who have completed T889 can gain exemptions from two CQI Diploma modules – D3 and D5. To receive a full award Diploma, T889 students would also need to complete D1, D2, D4 and either D6 or D7.

To receive full CQI membership, students with sufficient work experience who have passed T889 would only have to complete modules D4 and D6.

Future availability

The details given here are for the course that starts in November 2012 and May 2013. We expect it to be available twice a year.

Students also studied

Students who studied this course also studied at some time:

• Making a difference (B830)
• Technology management: an integrative approach (T840)
• Environmental decision making: a systems approach (T863)
• Business operations: delivering value (T883)
• Technology strategy (T846)

How to register

To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.

Student Reviews

Distance learning

The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.

For more information about distance learning at the OU read Study explained.

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Your questions

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