This team case study is based on the Week $3$ Peer Learning Discussion about building a US$-$Mexico border wall. Here again is an outline of the issue:

An ongoing debate has been about whether or not building a wall on US$-$Mexico border could significantly help with national safety. Note that "building a wall" represents an alternative decision. Informed by the $6-$Step Rational Decision Making model, assess the effectiveness of this alternative decision. In your response, please be sure to identify and discuss any biases and$/$or heuristics that might have influenced or led to this proposed decision.

The basic question for this case study, then, is what would be the most effective way to control border traffic? Begin by exploring what the root problem is that is trying to be solved. You may use building a border wall as one option, and you may also use what your team members posted in the Week $3$ discussion as a foundation. In your case study, define the problem, generate additional alternatives, make recommendations, and devise an action plan. Teams should structure and organize their case paper using the following outline:

The Problem Statement

The problem statement should be a succinct statement of the main issue in the case. The team must separate the main issue $($or $$root cause,$$ as W$.$ Edwards Deming would label it$)$ from symptoms of the problem. It is important to make the statement in one sentence and clearly label it in the case analysis.

Alternatives

The alternatives should directly relate to the problem statement. They can be creative, yet the team is encouraged to conduct a feasibility assessment of each alternative. Members should pay attention to various factors with possible negative consequences. If the team has a lengthy list of alternatives, it should prune them to their best $4$ or $5.$ The group might also combine alternatives to produce a feasible set for analysis. In brainstorming alternatives, it is critical to integrate materials from the course $($readings$,$ lectures, and other material$).$

Analysis

The analysis of the case should relate directly to the alternatives. The team is encouraged to scrutinize each alternative in terms of its pros and cons. In behavioral situations, it is rare that an alternative will have no negative consequences. The group should evaluate each alternative in terms of strengths and weaknesses. It is highly important to integrate materials from the course $($readings$,$ lectures, and other material$)$ to inform the analysis.

Decision

The decision should flow directly from the analysis above. It should be clear that one or sometimes more alternatives are preferable because they have more strengths and fewer weaknesses. If the team has conducted an honest assessment, one course of action should emerge as optimal, even in very difficult case situations where there seems to be no way out of difficult circumstances. The decision should be stated clearly; it should flow from the analysis; and it should be the most feasible of the set evaluated in the analysis section. In justifying the decision, the group must integrate materials from the course $($readings$,$ lectures, and other material$).$

Action Plan

The action plan should be the implementation of the decision above. How will the decision be put into action? These recommendations should be clear; they should be practical; and they should take into account the team$$s earlier assessments of critical factors. Contingency plans $($at least one$)$ should be presented and ready in the event that the first course of action fails. These plans should also take into account internal and external dynamics of the firm. The Action Plan is also an excellent place to integrate materials from the course $($readings$,$ lectures, and other material$).$

Each team must submit a written case paper $(4-6$ pages$).$ APA writing conventions should be followed with a minimum of five $(5)$ sources referenced and cited. Please be sure to use the CityU Library APA Student Paper Template. If any member fails to actively contribute to this assignment, her$/$his individual grade will be lowered at the discretion of the instructor.