There are plenty of models that assist managers in analytics, such as the six-step problem-solving model, the drill-down technique, the four-frame models, and other tools. The mentioned methods help develop complex solutions in economics, social sciences, nursing, and other areas. For instance, I applied the six-step problem-solving model to find out the best route for the holiday trip. According to the model, the problem should be defined first, which implies taking some steps to understand the issue on a deeper level. For instance, the problem should be defined by considering the important aspects such as length of the route, tourist attractions of cities, prices for accommodation and meals, opportunities for hiking and cycling.
Then, the second step is determining the root cause of the problem, seeing the aspects of the issue that will ‘wind you up.’ For example, doing research on water quality and air pollution levels, budgeting, choosing companions, and travel style helped me broaden my horizons regarding the future trip (Diederichs, 2020). The third step is developing alternative solutions by brainstorming all the possible answers to the problem.
When considering travel, accommodation prices, food, transportation, excursions, and souvenirs assisted me in setting the budget, and the style of the trip was dictated by the characteristics of the region that I decided to visit. Since I was planning to go to South America, I took the hiking route through the Andes, with a stop in the nearby villages. It could have been a perilous journey if I hadn’t thought through all the details in advance about getting buses to more densely populated areas where walking is not possible. The fourth step is selecting the best solution among the presented ones. For instance, choosing the most suitable region allowed me to reduce costs, and traveling by bus was the best solution for leaving the areas with underdeveloped infrastructure.
The fifth step is implementing the solution that is going on the trip. I started my trip at the Peru International Airport, drove up to the mountains by bus, and then made an unforgettable journey through the Andes, sightseeing at local villages. I also visited Machu Picchu and purchased many souvenirs for my family and friends. Finally, the sixth step is evaluating the outcome, and I was completely satisfied with my trip and experience.
Reference
Diederichs, K. (2020). How to plan a trip: Your step-by-step travel planning guide.