The Family Car

Behunin Tre, Stolbova Yuliya

Salt Lake Community College
COMM 1010
August 05, 2015

Table of Contents
Executive Summary 2
Project Description 3
Methods 4
Problem Questions 4
Analyzing the Problem 4
Setting Criteria 8
Brainstorming Solutions 8
Analyzing Solutions 9
Implementing Solutions 9
Conclusion 11

Executive Summary
This report goes over our group process for resolving the case study we chose, in the Group
Communications Project. In this project we were given a clear set of instructions which were meant to
help us work as a team towards a solution. The Case Study involved a family who was struggling to
provide a way of transportation for their two children. The parents were somewhat unwilling to use their
savings to buy their children a car, but also unwilling to give up one of their two cars.
Our team had the task of finding a compromise between the parents and the children concerning
transportation. Now because the children were begging for freedom, we thought it would be wise to give
the responsibility to the children. We also brainstormed every possible solution and revised all ideas.
Combining any solutions that were similar and taking away the solutions which were out of our reach, we
created a way to execute our solution.
We decided as a team that it was in the best interest of everyone, for the children to use alternative
methods of transportation. During the months the children were unable to do so, they would work out a
schedule with their parents in order to get rides to and from school.

Project Description
Tom and Jane Warner are working-class parents. They each own a car. Their cars are about ten years old.
Their daughter, Savannah, is a sophomore at SLCC. Their son, Troy, is a senior at Rockville High. Jane
has been taking Savannah and Troy to school on her way to work. The kids get a ride home from school
with friends, when they can. Otherwise, they stay at school until 5:30PM and Jane picks them up on the
way home from work. The kids are pestering their parents to let them drive the family cars because it
would make their lives more convenient and because its cool to have you own car to drive. Tom and
Jane need their cars to get to work. They would be willing to let the children borrow a car occasionally in
the evenings after they get home from work. However, the parents are not willing to par the high cost of
adding the children onto their car insurance. Tom and Jane have saved enough money to pay for their
childrens college textbooks, student fees, and part of their tuition. Savannah works ten hours a week as a
sales clerk at Albertsons. Troy does not have a job.
Our group is a group of three students in the COMM 1010 class. Our goal is to evaluate the current
situation of the Warner familys transportation needs. After evaluating their needs we will begin to go
through several steps in order to come out with the best possible solution to satisfy every family
members transportation needs. The section that follow will walk you through the steps we took in detail
and will lead to the best solution we came up with.

Methods
We began the problem solving process by creating our group contract that stated some rules we
all agreed to follow. When we were finished with the contract and all agreed to it we then chose a
problem from the list and began thinking of ways to solve the problem. We all had our own
opinions about the problem and had to work together and communicate effectively in order to
come up with a solution. Below we will describe the process in detail.

Part 1: Problem Question

Task 2 of meeting 1 it states that we should not make a question that already states the answer
and the question should also be an open ended one. The question that we came up with is, What
is the best solution to the Warner familys transportation needs? This question helps us think of
any and all solutions without being bias towards any one solution.

Part 2: Analysis of the Problem

Analyzing the problem helps all the members of the group become familiar with the problem and
helps come up with good solutions. Below is a description of the problems characteristics, who
it effects, and other important things we need to keep in mind while coming up with the best
possible solution.

A Characteristics

Positive- There are a lot of positive things in the current situation of the family. They
already have two cars to get to work and/or school. They are able to pay for part of
tuition, school fees, and books for their kids, which is a great benefit to the children
of the family. They are not currently paying extra car payments, insurance, and gas
for their kids to have a car. The oldest daughter has a job and is able to put that money

towards school.
Negative- Just like there is positive in the situation there is also a lot of negatives. The
mom of the family is having to take the kids to school and then pick them up when
they are through. Sometimes the kids are stuck at school until 5:00 p.m. waiting for a
ride home. The kids most likely arent able to get everywhere they want in a timely

matter. If they were to get another car there would be extra car payments.
B Stakeholders
1 Parents- The parents are the first group that is affected by this problem. They are
affected because they have to take time out of their busy schedules to drive kids to
school. They also have to listen to the kids beg and whine about getting a car in their
current situation. Looking at the solution they would possibly have to pay for an extra
car or give up one of their cars they have already. Giving up a car would affect their
2

ability to get to work each day.

Children- The children are the second group affected by the situation. In the current
situation the children do not have the freedom to go where and when they want
because of the lack of transportation. They sometimes are left at school until their
mom has time to pick them up. They also may face social problems at school because
they arent cool enough to have a car. However getting a car might mean the kids

would need to make great economic sacrifices to earn it.

C History

Personal experience- In our life own lives we have seen many different solutions to
this problem. In my own household when my sister, the oldest sibling, reached high
school my mom upgraded and got a better car for the family. She then left the older
one for my sister to drive. My sister was required to pay for gas while my parents
paid for the insurance and the car. This benefitted my sister greatly and also my
parents. My sister had her freedom to go where ever she wanted without having to
bother my parents for a ride. My sister had to sacrifice money for gas and my parents
sacrificed money for the car and insurance. Once my sister reached college she was
responsible to buy her own car and pay for her insurance and everything else that
comes with the car. This benefitted mostly just my parents. They had no responsibility
to help my sister. My sister on the other hand didnt receive much except personal

responsibility. I had very much the same experience with a few changes.
D Policies/Politics
1 Insurance- One regulation that all drivers must comply with in order to drive is
insurance. Everybody must have car insurance while driving a vehicle. If the family
was to buy a new car they would have to pay extra for car insurance. The family
mentioned they did not want to pay the extra insurance putting them in a bit of an
ethical issue, they would either have to pay the insurance or let their daughter/son
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drive without insurance which is against the law.

License- In order to legally drive one must obtain a drivers license. Before getting a
new car both children would have to (if they havent already) obtain a drivers license
which of course is extra money that would be paid either from the kids or parents

pockets.
Ethical issues- Now-a-days many children are handed everything they ask of their
parents and there has always been an ethical questions associated with this act, such

as Does that really teach the child anything? or How will this affect the childs
future? The parents need to think about if they just gave the car to the children
without any sacrifice from them would they miss out on any life lessons? Perhaps
about hard work or valuing ones possessions?
E Resources
1 Personal contacts/Experiences- To solve this problem we decided to have our
primary source of information be friends, family, and our own experiences. These can
be some of the best resources because we can understand the sacrifices involved in
the situation. We can get the childrens point of view from our own personal
2

experiences and the adults perspective from our parents or other close friends/family.
Internet- The internet has masses of information, tips, and other helpful resources and
it is all free. We can ask people online for their opinions or experiences. We could

also read about peoples experiences that are currently going through the same thing.
COMM 1010 book- When thinking about the solution one topic specifically cam to
mind. The topic of compromising is an invaluable tool in problem solving situations.
(pg. 129)

Part 3: Criteria
While thinking of the best solution to our problem we came up with some criteria in order to help
us. We all talked about things that we thought were important. There were many ideas thrown
around and then we narrowed the list down to the best 10.
Criteria:
1
2
3

Include effective communication skills

Be achievable for all in the family
Be as economic as possible for all members

4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Helps all members of the family

Puts responsibility on the kids to find a compromise
Parents will have most of the say
Should require work/sacrifice/effort from entire family
Should allow daughter to stay in school and save for car
Everyone should be able to get where they need to go in an efficient manner
Require equal sacrifice from everyone

Part 4: Brainstorming
After coming up with the criteria we were able to make suggestions that would satisfy some of
the criteria. We tried to come up with as many as possible and as creative as possible to help us
come up with the perfect solution. Often times solutions can be overlooked do to a lack of
creativity. We had all kind of solutions from winning the lottery to only changing one detail
about the current situation. Below are the six best ideas we came up with.
1
2
3
4
5
6

Kids use alternate methods of transportation

Buy an old cheap car
Work out a schedule for car use
Have daughter save up for a car
Parents sacrifice one car and use trax for work
Use tuition money to buy a car and have kids pay for education alone

Part 5: Solution Analysis

After we came up with theses solution we set up a chart with our criteria in order to find which
one would satisfy the most criteria. The solutions were along the top and the criteria along the
left side. We gave a value 0-5 to each criterion for each solution. After assigning the value to
them all we added up the points or values to see which one was the highest. The chart is not
meant to restrict our solutions or say one is better than the other but gives us a new way to look
at them and see in what areas they help. Below we will describe in detail what solution we chose
and why.

Final Solution
We chose solution one as the best solution. Solution one is to have the daughter use trax and/or
buses to get to college. This will allow her to start saving for her own car while she is attending
school. Her needs are not met immediately however she eventually will have her own car and for
the time being she can get to school in an efficient manner. The son or his parents should buy
him a bike or some other alternate mode of transportation. He will ride his bike to school each
day and to any social gathering he wants to attend. The parents will probably have to pay for the
kids bike and they will also have to help out during harsh climates. During winter they will need
to work out a schedule in order to get to work and get the son to school. We think this solution is
better than the rest because it puts responsibility on the kids, it allows the daughter to stay in
school and save for a car, the children will receive lots of economic support in schooling, and
everyone will have the freedom to go wherever they want. Some of the negative consequences is
that it will be harder during the winter or harsh climates. The kids might whine and complain to
the parents about still wanting the car.

Part 6: Implementing the Solution

In order to implement the solution, the first thing that needs to be done is the daughter would
need to look at the bus schedule as well as the trax schedule to see which would be more
convenient for her personal use. After deciding she would then need to buy a bus pass or the trax
card. The son would need to talk with his parents to see what kind of bike or other transportation
mean. After deciding they would go and make that purchase and the son would need to ride to

the school to see how long it would take him to get there. The parents would need to make a
schedule for the harsh climates and continue to help out when necessary.

Conclusion
After several discussion, our group of two, made a decision that the daughter would do best if she could
take the TRAX or perhaps the B-line to go to college. The son could purchase a bicycle or skateboard to
travel to school. It is important to keep in mind how harsh the winter could be here and in this case the
children could get rides to school and home from their parents.
While all of this is happening of course we kept in mind that the daughter, because she does currently
have a job, could start a savings account. We agreed that this would be the best compromise for the
family. This way the responsibly is on the children, this will be a great lesson for them in the long run,
and teach them a valuable life lesson. To work for the things they want.