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Chapter 7: Problem 23

You are sitting at your desk in the morning reading your e-mail when your boss bursts into your office. It seems that a local farmer was not happy with your company and has dropped a truckload of potatoes in your plant's entrance. The potatoes are blocking the entrance and must be moved. You have been selected as the lucky engineer to fix this problem. What would you do to move the potatoes and how would you get rid of them? Brainstorm ideas and select the best solution. (Note: You work at a manufacturing plant of some kind that does not use potatoes in its process. The potatoes also appear to be perfectly fine, just in the way.)

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The key aspects to consider are the available resources, the size of the problem, brainstorming and evaluating ideas, selecting and implementing the best solution, and reflecting on the process to learn for future similar situations.

Step by step solution

01

Assess the situation

Start by examining the situation to identify the size of the problem - the number of potatoes and the area they are covering. This information will help determine the necessary resources and appropriate methods for handling the potatoes.
02

Identify available resources

Identify the resources available to move the potatoes and dispose of them. These resources might include equipment like forklifts, shovels, and vehicles, as well as available staff who can assist in the process.
03

Brainstorm ideas

Discuss and brainstorm ideas for moving the potatoes and getting rid of them. Some ideas might be: 1. Transporting the potatoes to a local farm or compost site for recycling. 2. Donating the potatoes to a food bank or charity organization. 3. Selling the potatoes, if possible, to recover some costs. 4. Using machinery like forklifts and trucks to load and transport the potatoes away.
04

Evaluate ideas

Weigh the pros and cons of each proposed idea and determine the feasibility, considering the identified resources. The effectiveness, efficiency, and responsibility in each solution should be considered.
05

Select the best solution

Choose the best solution based on the evaluations in step 4. This solution should prioritize efficiency, social responsibility, and feasibility given the available resources.
06

Implement the chosen solution

Once the best solution is selected, implement the necessary actions by coordinating with the available staff and managing the required equipment. Follow through until the potatoes are completely moved and no longer block the plant's entrance.
07

Reflect and learn

After the problem has been resolved, reflect on the process and identify lessons learned in problem-solving, creative thinking, and decision-making. Use these lessons to improve skills and prepare for future similar situations.

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