Ethics and Problem Analysis

September 26, 2024, Question of Ethics Conversation

Brought to You in Cooperation with the National Association for Court Management

Problem Analysis is an often-overlooked component of decision-making. There are several highly effective business problem analysis models, each tailored for different types of challenges. Some of the most popular models:

Root Cause Analysis which includes techniques such as “The Five Whys” and the “Ishikawa Fishbone Diagram”
SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)
Gap Analysis which includes identifying gaps between where an organization is and where it needs to be, then focusing on areas of improvement.

There are several ethical concerns when conducting good problem identification and analysis.

What if you cannot obtain the political buy-in needed to properly analyze the problem?
How do you properly identify and analyze a business problem with a strong political undercurrent?
How do you proceed if a solution is already laid out for you?
When we become operationally aligned with a decision-maker do we run the risk of “preemptive avoidance” where we decide not to initiate a topic because we know it will provoke a negative response?

Listen to the September 26, 2024, Episode of A Question of Ethics Conversation on your way to or from work. In your car or on the bus. 20 Minutes 33 Seconds

Watch the September 26, 2024, Episode of A Question of Ethics Conversation on YouTube 20 Minutes 34 Seconds

Join the Conversation

Join us live when we hold the Question of Ethics Conversation. Episodes are recorded immediately following the monthly NACM Ethics Subcommittee meeting on the fourth Thursday of each month. Check the NACM Committee webpage for the schedule and Zoom link.

You can also email us at ethics@nacmnet.org

Today’s Panel

Rick Pierce is the Judicial Programs Administrator of the Judicial District Operations and Programs Department. He has served in the field of court administration for the past twenty-nine years. Prior to his appointment at the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, Rick was the district court administrator for Cumberland County. Prior to his 4 ½ year tenure as court administrator, Rick was the assistant administrator for the 9th judicial district from 1988-1997.

As judicial programs administrator, he is responsible for implementation of programs and education in court administration at the general and limited jurisdiction court levels.

Rick served as the President for the Mid-Atlantic Association for Court Management for 2005-2006. Previously he has served on the MAACM advisory board from 1997-2005.
A graduate from Washington and Lee University, Rick received his Masters in Public Administration from Shippensburg University in 1995. He has been an active member of the Pennsylvania Association of Court Management, (PACM) since its inception in 1989. He has served as a board member from 1994-2001, culminating in his presidency in 2000-2001.

Samantha Wallis is the Assistant Court Administrator for the District Court, in Coeur d’Alene Idaho. Samantha grew up in Idaho, where she attended the University of Idaho to obtain her B.S. in Anthropology. She went on to obtain her M.S. in International Relations at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. She has worked for the courts since 2017 where she is currently the Assistant Trial Court Administrator for the First Judicial District of Idaho.

Creadell Webb is the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer for the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania (FJD). He is a highly experienced and accomplished professional with a proven track record of success in creating inclusive work environments.

Creadell has held a variety of positions at the FJD, including judicial law clerk, manager, and deputy chief. In those roles, he demonstrated his ability to lead and motivate teams, draft legal documents, and manage complex projects. He is also a skilled trainer and educator who has conducted numerous Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and educational training programs on DEI.

Creadell earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Howard University and a Juris Doctorate from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Mr. Webb is a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) certified professional and holds a “Diversity and Inclusion” certificate from Cornell University’s online program. He is passionate about creating a more just and equitable society. He is a strong advocate for equity in the court system, the legal world, and society.

Stacy Worby serves as the State Jury Coordinator for the Alaska Court System. In that capacity she is responsible for the coordination and operation of the centralized processes for the court’s jury management systems. Additionally, she provides jury procedure training and guidance for personnel in 40 court locations statewide.