E014 is a two-unit graduate course in WGU's Master of Science, Information Technology programs. WGU lists no prerequisites, and it appears in both the standard and the Product Management versions of the degree.
The guidebook says the course invites students to use frameworks for resolving issues inside an organization. A framework gives a step-by-step route from a symptom to its cause and then to a solution, instead of jumping to the first fix that comes to mind.
The course is short, but it is easy to lose marks. Students often name the problem correctly and then propose a solution that treats a symptom, which is exactly what a root cause analysis is meant to prevent.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Western Governors University (WGU) |
| Course | E014, Problem Solving for Technology Business Problems |
| Competency units | 2 |
| Level | Graduate |
| Programs | MS Information Technology; MS Information Technology, Product Management |
| Prerequisites | None listed |
What E014 Covers
WGU lists two competencies, and the course description names the kinds of problem you will meet.
| Competency (WGU wording, summarized) | What it asks of you |
|---|---|
| Apply problem-solving frameworks to a technology business problem | Choose a framework, follow its steps and show your reasoning |
| Perform a root cause analysis on a technology business problem | Trace the problem back to its underlying cause using evidence |
The description mentions three problem types: technology inefficiencies, process improvement and future innovation challenges, and incidents that need immediate resolution and communication. Expect scenarios that resemble real workplace situations.
Key Concepts Explained
Why Frameworks Help
A framework forces you to define the problem, gather facts, consider causes, choose a solution and plan how to check it worked. The names differ, but the discipline is the same: do not propose a fix until the problem is defined.
Root Cause Analysis
Root cause analysis keeps asking why until you reach a cause that, if removed, stops the problem returning. A cause that only explains one occurrence is usually still a symptom.
Illustration: A help desk reports slow ticket closure. Why? Agents wait for approvals. Why? Approvers do not see requests. Why? Notifications go to a shared mailbox nobody monitors. The root cause is the notification routing, not agent speed, so hiring more agents would not fix it.
Communicating During an Incident
The description also mentions incidents needing immediate communication. Clear updates say what is known, what is not, who owns the next step and when the next update will arrive.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
Check your task instructions for the format. The work normally asks you to analyze a supplied scenario in writing.
| Task element | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Problem definition | Precision | State the problem, who it affects and how you know |
| Framework application | Method | Name the framework and follow each of its steps visibly |
| Root cause analysis | Depth of reasoning | Chain the whys and tie each link to evidence |
| Solution and follow-up | Practical judgment | Address the root cause and say how you will measure success |
Choosing and Using a Framework
The course does not ask you to memorize one framework. It asks you to apply a suitable one and show that you understood why. Before choosing, classify the problem. An inefficiency suits a process-focused framework, an incident calls for a quick triage and communication routine, and an innovation challenge needs a framework that begins with exploring needs.
Once chosen, write the framework's steps as headings and fill each from the scenario. This keeps your work visibly aligned with the competency and makes it easy for a reader to follow.
| Problem type (from the course description) | What your answer should emphasize |
|---|---|
| Technology inefficiency | Measuring the current process and finding where time or effort is lost |
| Process improvement or innovation challenge | Understanding users, generating options and testing the best one |
| Incident needing immediate resolution | Containing impact, finding the cause and communicating clearly |
Whichever type you meet, finish by saying how you would confirm the fix worked. A solution without a check is only a guess.
Where Students Get Stuck
- Solving the symptom. If your fix would not stop the problem recurring, keep digging.
- Unsupported causes. Each link in a cause chain needs a fact from the scenario.
- Framework in name only. Naming a framework without following its steps rarely meets the rubric.
- Vague success measures. Say what will change, by how much and how you will know.
Study Tips for E014
- Practice on everyday issues, such as a missed deadline, to get used to asking why five or six times.
- Keep a one-page template with the framework's steps and fill it in for each scenario.
- Separate facts from assumptions in your notes and label each.
- Reread the rubric before submitting and tick each line against a heading.
How We Help with E014
Send the scenario, the task instructions and the rubric. A writer can prepare a model root cause analysis, explain the framework step by step, or review your own draft and show where the logic jumps. This is tutoring and reference material: use it to learn the method and submit your own work under WGU's academic integrity rules.
GradeEssays is independent of Western Governors University. Orders are written from scratch, include free revisions within the scope of your original request, and are refunded in full if late. See also our case study writing guide.
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Share the scenario, your draft and any evaluator comments. We explain where the reasoning needs evidence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
WGU lists none for this course.
The guidebook lists 2 competency units.
Applying problem-solving frameworks to a technology business problem, and performing a root cause analysis on one.
The course is about method and reasoning applied to technology problems, not about configuring systems.
Treating a symptom as the cause. Keep asking why until removing the cause would stop the problem.
Yes. We check the logic, the evidence and the match to your rubric, and explain what to change.