Learn about solving workplace communication issues.

1. Organizational Communication
as Problem Solving

2. Problem
 A gap between where your are now
and where you want to be.
 A problem is not always something
negative.
 It can also be an opportunity to
improve a situation or do things in a
better way.

3. Types of problems
 Well-defined------ can be solved by
following a formula
 Ill-defined----------- requiring research,
analysis, creativity and judgement.

4. Solving Workplace Problems
 What is the situation?
 What has happened to make you think that you have to
communicate?
 What background and prior knowledge can you apply to this
situation? How is this situation like or unlike others you have
encountered?
 What do you need to find out every facet of this problem?

5. …………..Continued
 What are some possible
communication strategies?
 To whom might you communicate?
 What are your audience’s professional and
personal contexts?
 What are some communication strategies
that might help you achieve your goals?

6. ……………………Continued
 Which is the best course of action?
 Which strategies are impractical and
potentially dangerous?
 What will be the best message type,
contents, style and format for your
message?
 What channel will you use to deliver it?

7.  What is the best way to deliver your
message?
 Are there any timing consideration
related to delivering your message?
 Should you combine the main
message with any other message?

8. ………………………Continued
 Solving ill-defined problems is
combining existing resources with
innovation and good judgment.
 Organizational communication is both
challenging and more exciting than
you may have thought.