PROBLEM
The manufacturing facility where you work employs three data-entry operators who work full-time keyboarding
production, personnel, and inventory data into a computer. This data is then sent via secure Internet
connection to the headquarters minicomputer, where it becomes part of the corporate database for financial,
production, and personnel management.
Last year, one of the operators was absent from work for two weeks for a condition diagnosed as carpal tunnel
syndrome, a neuromuscular disorder of the tendons and tissue in the wrists caused by repeated hand motions.
Her symptoms included a dull ache in the wrist and excruciating pain in the shoulder and neck. Her doctor
treated her with antiinflammatory medicine and a cortisone injection, and she has had no further problems. However, just last week
a second data-entry operator experienced similar symptoms; her doctor diagnosed her ailment as “repeated-

Because the company anticipates further automation in the future, with more data-entry
operators to be hired, your boss has asked you to gather additional information on this
condition. Once the extent of the problem is known, she wants you to make any appropriate
recommendations regarding the work environment
—
posture, furniture, work habits, rest breaks, and the like that will alleviate this problem.
page one:
Compose a few paragraphs describing how you
solved this problem. In narrative form, provide
information such as the following:

1. The problem statement and sub problems
   for your report
2. How you gathered the needed secondary
   data
3. How you evaluated the quality and
   relevance of any data you collected from online
   searching
4. How you decided whether to use a direct
   or an indirect organizational plan
5. The degree of formality you decided to use
6. Factors you used to determine whether to
   include any visual aid
   Page two:
   Actual report to supervisor on carpal tunnel syndrome
   Incorporate your answers in step one to formulate
   report.