Decision Making & Problem Solving Training

• Applying problem solving steps and tools
• Analyze information to clearly describe problems
• Identify appropriated solutions
• Think creatively and be a contributing member of a problem-solving team
• Select the best approach for making decisions
• Create a plan for implementing, evaluating, and following up on decisions
• Avoid common decision-making mistakes

Part I – Decision Making

Getting Started

• Workshop objectives

Problem Solving Method

• What is a problem?
• What is creative problem solving?
• The steps in the creative problem solving process
• Case study
• Module review questions

Information Gathering

• Understanding types of information
• Identifying key questions
• Methods of information gathering
• Case study
• Review questions

Problem Defintion

• Defining the problem
• Determining problem origination
• Defining the present state and the desired state
• Stating and restating the problem
• Analyzing the problem
• Writing the problem statement
• Case study
• Review questions

Preparing for Brainstorming

• Identifying mental blocks
• Removing mental blocks
• Stimulating creativity
• Case study
• Review questions

Generating Solutions (I)

• Brainstorming basics
• Brain writing and mind mapping
• Duncker diagrams
• Case study
• Review questions

Generating Solutions (II)

• The Morphological Matrix
• The six thinking hats
• The Blink Method
• Case study
• Review questions

Analyzing Solutions

• Developing criteria
• Analyzing wants and needs
• Using cost/benefit analysis
• Case study
• Review questions

Selecting a Solution

• Doing a final analysis
• Paired comparison analysis
• Analyzing potential problems
• Case study
• Review questions

Planning Your Next Steps

• Identifying tasks
• Identifying resources
• Implementing, evaluating, and adapting
• Case study
• Review questions

Recording Lessons Learned

• Planning the follow-up meeting
• Celebrating successes
• Identifying improvements
• Case study
• Review questions

Wrapping Up

• Words from the wise

Part II – Critical Thinking

Getting Started

• Workshop objectives

Components of Critical Thinking

• Applying reason
• Open mindedness
• Analysis
• Logic
• Case study
• Review questions

Non-Linear Thinking

• Step out of your comfort zone
• Don’t jump to conclusions
• Expect and initiate change
• Adaptability
• Case study
• Review questions

Logical Thinking

• Ask the right questions
• Organize the data
• Evaluate the information
• Draw conclusions
• Case study
• Review questions

Critical Thinking (I)

• Active listening
• Curiosity
• Self-discipline
• Humility
• Case study
• Review qustions

Critical Thinking (II)

• Seeing the big picture
• Objectivity
• Using your emotions
• Being self-aware
• Case study
• Review questions

Evaluate the Information

• Making assumptions
• Identifying bias
• Clarifying questions
• SWOT analysis
• Case study
• Review questions

Benefits of Critical Thinking

• Being more persuasive
• Better communication
• Improved problem solving
• Increased emotional intelligence
• Case study
• Review questions

Changing Your Perspective

• Limitations with your point of view
• Considers other viewpoints
• Influences on bias
• Analyzing new information
• Case study
• Review questions

Problem Solving

• Preparation or familiarization
• Production
• Judgement and evaluation
• Case study
• Review questions

Putting it all Together

• Retaining new skills
• Reflect and learn from mistakes
• Asking the right questions
• Practicing critical thinking
• Case study
• Review questions