Problem Statement
My annual early vacation comes up between January and February every year. Like every other one, this year’s own has come again. To make matters worse out of the three weeks approved, two of these have been spent in the office on a working-leave basis.
In other that all the days are not wasted, an instantaneous decision is now required. The decision on vacation type is now the bane. Firstly, it has been decided it’ll be spent in Nigeria’s capital of Abuja. However, I am left with choices of vacation type to choose from.
Root Cause Analysis
High stress levels resulting in depression, insomnia, tiredness etc.
Last vacation over nine months ago (against company policy on work-life balance).
Less productivity.
Still called to duty despite being on vacation.
Increased weight due to lack of regulated feeding habits and exercise.
.
Alternatives:
Alternative A: Travel alone.
Alternative B: Travel with spouse only.
Alternative C: Travel with Spouse and kids.
Analysis of Alternatives
Alternative A: This involves travelling alone to Abuja to spend my early year vacation.
Costs
Flight return ticket from PH to Abuja – N44,000
Airport taxi to Abuja City – N5,000
City cab to Abuja Airport – N5,000
Hotel Accommodation – N30,000 x 5days (single suit)
Feeding/drinks – N5,000 x 5days
Visit to places of interest/friends – N5,000
Telephone charges to home – N7500
Internet Charges – N1000 x 5days
Shopping for family – N50,000
Total: N296,000.00
Vacation Duration – 5 days
MERITS
No disturbances from kids and attention from spouse.
Concentration in certification course.
No call back to duty
Regular workout
Remain indoors
Plenty of rest and long sleep time
Cheaper accommodation (Pay for single room only).
Lesser sightseeing.
No watch over kids.
Increased vitality.
Reinvigorated productivity
Disciplined vacation spend
DEMERITS
Prolonged engagement convincing and trade-offs with spouse
Frequent calls to and from home (High telephone cost).
Missing family dearly.
No usual homework with kids.
Remote Location from home.
No spouse hugs, kiss etc.
No kids’ bedtime songs/stories.
No usual family dinner
Increased upkeep budget back home.
Alternative B: This involves travelling with spouse alone to Abuja to spend my early year vacation.
Costs
Flight return ticket from PH to Abuja – N44,000 x 2
Airport taxi to Abuja City – N5,000
City cab to Abuja Airport – N5,000
Hotel Accommodation – N37,500 x 5days (Double suit)
Feeding/drinks – N5,000 x 5days x 2
Visit to places of interest/friends – N15,000
Telephone charges to home – N2500
Internet Charges – N1000 x 5days
Shopping for family – N110,000
Total: N455,000
Vacation Duration – 5 days
MERITS
No prolonged engagements and trade-offs with spouse
No disturbances from kids.
Home front completely under check by spouse.
Low telephone costs to home
No call back to duty
No increased upkeep budget
Short/Long term family plans discussed extensively.
Plenty of hugs, kiss etc.
DEMERITS
Miss kids dearly.
No usual homework with kids.
No kids’ bedtime songs/stories.
Low invigorated productivity.
Undisciplined vacation spends - Plenty shopping and sightseeing.
Expensive accommodation.
Increased flight costs.
Lesser workout
Less concentration on certification course.
Lesser time indoors.
Alternative C: This involves travelling with spouse and kids to Abuja to spend my early year vacation.
Costs
Flight return ticket from PH to Abuja – N44,000 x 2 + N22,000 x 3
Airport taxi to Abuja City – N5,000
City cab to Abuja Airport – N5,000
Hotel Accommodation – N48,500 x 5days (family suit)
Feeding/drinks – N5,000 x 5days x 4.5
Visit to places of interest/friends – N30,000
Telephone charges to home – Nil
Internet Charges – N200 x 5days
Shopping for family – N150,000
Total: N700,000
Vacation Duration – 5 days
MERITS
No prolonged engagements and trade-offs with spouse
Home front completely in control.
No telephone costs to home
No call back to duty
No increased upkeep budget
Plenty of hugs, kiss etc.
Kids not missed
Usual kids bedtime songs/stories
DEMERITS
Disturbance from kids
Lack of rest
Very low invigorated productivity.
Undisciplined vacation spends - Plenty shopping and increased sightseeing.
Expensive accommodation.
Increased flight costs.
Lesser workout
Lack of concentration for certification course.
Lesser time indoors.
Watch over kids
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Grid Analysis
Value Drivers: Reduced stress level, Vacation cost
| Value analysis (unweighted) | |||||||
| Alternatives | Reduce Stress Level | Vacation Cost <> | Study for Certification | Family Happy and satisfied | Supports high productivity after vacation | Vacation duration <7days | Weight Loss achieved |
| A | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| B | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| C | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| LEGEND | |||||||
| Low effect | 1 | ||||||
| Medium effect | 3 | ||||||
| High effect | 5 | ||||||
| Value analysis (weighted) | ||||||||
| Alternatives | Reduced Stress Level | Vacation Cost <> | Study for Certification | Family Happy and satisfied | Supports high productivity after vacation | Vacation duration <7days | Weight Loss achieved | |
| Weighting | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | Total |
| A | 25 | 15 | 25 | 5 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 109 |
| B | 15 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 93 |
| C | 5 | 3 | 5 | 25 | 3 | 15 | 5 | 61 |
| LEGEND - Magnitude of importance | ||||||||
| High | 5 | |||||||
| Medium | 3 | |||||||
| Low | 1 | |||||||
Selection of Alternative
Based on the grid analysis and listed value drivers. Alternative A ranked highest in score, it is therefore the recommended alternative.
Monitoring outcome of selected alternative
Visit my physician to have a physical examination quarterly.
Reduce workload by adding a few hours on weekends.
Set-up a 360 degree feedback after six weeks with Peers/Boss on my work performance.
Apply for my leave only when we have a full complement of colleagues at work.
References:
The memory jogger 2 ‘Tool for continuous improvement and effective planning’ by Michael Brassard and Diane Ritter – Second Edition 2010.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/7658063/ns/today-todaytravel/
http://www.mindtools.com/
http://www.keyorganization.com/vacation-deprivation.php
EXCELLENT, Idubamo!!! Very well done!! Nicely set up using the 7 step process, good root cause analysis and I like your approach to monitoring and controlling the outcomes.
ReplyDeleteAs you are one week behind, as soon as you catch up by posting your W11, provided it is accepted, I am willing to consider appointing you as a MENTOR.
IF you become a mentor, you will be able to fulfill your obligation by assisting your colleagues in catching up. Fair enough?
So as quickly as possible, catch up to the current week and as soon as I accept your W11 posting (provided it is current) I will offer you the mentor position.
BR,
Dr. PDG, Jakarta