Question

You have been asked to assist with gathering information related to a new policy that is being developed. This includes using an online database to access some relevant information, however, you have not previously accessed the database and your initial attempts to use it have been challenging. Additionally, the information that you have been asked to assist with gathering is quite complex, and your limited understanding of the subject area may hinder your ability to provide relevant information by the deadline. Select the most effective response in this situation.

1. You speak with some of your colleagues to discuss the challenges that have been experienced and their potential impact on your success. You also discuss with them how to use the online database to access relevant information. You regularly meet with the person overseeing the development of the policy to obtain their feedback about the information that you have gathered so far and to obtain their advice and guidance regarding what information is required.
2. You raise your concerns with the manager given the time sensitivity and complexity of the policy. You highlight your lack of familiarity with the policy’s subject matter, and the likelihood of this impacting on your success in gathering the required information within the set deadline. You recommend that someone with more knowledge and experience in this area should be assigned to gather the relevant information to ensure nothing important is missed.
3. You explore available resources that will help you to develop your knowledge and skills in using the online database. You also speak with your manager about the challenges that you have been experiencing and ask them for their feedback on what you have done so far and their advice on the best way to proceed with the task. You leverage your manager’s supervision while completing the task to help keep you on track and address issues that may hinder your work.
4. You reflect on where you are currently lacking relevant knowledge to complete the task and create a plan for developing the knowledge you require. You then use your time management skills to allocate time to implement your plan, seeking feedback from your colleagues and manager to stay on track. Although the information you have been asked to gather for the policy may be outside of your area of expertise, you approach the challenge with a readiness to learn new knowledge and skills.
5. You ask your colleagues for feedback regarding the work that you have undertaken to date. You then use the feedback to reassess your approach to gathering relevant information. In addition, you take initiative to speak with your manager about being assigned to tasks that are more within your area of your expertise, noting that this is likely to be beneficial in ensuring the efficiency and success of the team.

Answer 1

An effective response includes leveraging help from colleagues and managers, enhancing one's own knowledge and skill set, and ensuring regular feedback to tackle the challenge of gathering information for a new policy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Confronted with the challenge of gathering complex information for a new policy using an unfamiliar online database, the most effective response would involve a combination of seeking assistance, learning, and feedback. An effective approach entails discussing challenges with colleagues and learning how to use the database, while regularly consulting the policy overseer for guidance on the relevance of information (Response 1). Alternatively, communicating with a manager about the challenges faced, coupled with a recommendation for reassignment to someone with more expertise in the subject matter, can ensure that the task is completed efficiently (Response 2). A third effective strategy might be to enhance personal knowledge and skills related to the task, leveraging the manager's feedback and supervision throughout the process (Response 3). Additionally, a proactive self-learning approach to understanding the subject matter in depth and effectively managing time to accommodate learning can be beneficial (Response 4). Lastly, seeking feedback to refine your approach and suggesting a reassignment to tasks more aligned with one's expertise can contribute to overall team efficiency and success (Response 5).