Creative Problem Solving and Decision Making

Introduction

In this present age, organizations are fast-paced and ever-changing. As such, individuals and teams will be expected to use their brains in thinking critically. They will be solving problems and making decisions, either individually or as parts of teams. Faced with challenges or a perplexing issue, most individuals do a lot of worrying before separating the issues, examining the facts, and reaching a decision. All that worrying can become directed thinking by channeling it into thinking critically and applying problem-solving techniques to make the best decisions.

Objectives

This course aims to enable participants to achieve the following objectives:

• Provide tools and techniques to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Learn how to find out what you don’t know and solve the real problem
• Build a workplace culture that promotes creative problem solving
• Become familiar with different styles of thinking and identify your personal preferences
• Develop critical thinking for improved leadership
• Apply the disciplined art of critical thinking, including problem-solving and decision making, for the success of your organization
• Competencies developed
  Delegates will develop the following competencies:
• Apply critical-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills to issues and challenges they face on the job
• Adapt to different styles of thinking in a group or team environment
• Tap into your creativity to generate original ideas and a range of solutions
• Recognize and remove barriers to individual and group decision making
• Improve your productivity by thinking clearly and concisely
• Apply a systematic approach to analyzing a targeted problem and choosing the optimal solution

Training Methodology

This workshop is designed to be interactive and participatory. It includes various pedagogical tools to enable participants to function effectively and efficiently in a multilateral environment. The course will be built on four pedagogical pillars: concept learning (presentations by the consultant), experience sharing (roundtable discussions), practice sessions, and analysis of case studies and scenarios. The online course is conducted online using MS-Teams/ClickMeeting.

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for supervisors, managers, and executives who are required to handle various issues and challenges. This course is also recommended for professionals who desire to enhance their critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision making for better workplace performance Faced with challenges or a perplexing issue, most individuals do a lot of worrying before separating the issues, examining the facts, and reaching a decision. All that worrying can become directed thinking by channeling it into thinking critically and applying problem-solving techniques to make the best decisions.

Course Outline

Day 1: Critical Thinking for Sucess 

• Definitions of Critical Thinking
• Importance of Critical Thinking
• Strategies of critical thinking
• Developing critical thinking skills
• Elements of critical thinking
• Fundamentals of critical thinking

Day 2: Promoting Critical Thinking & Problem Solving 

• Fostering critical thinking
• Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving Skills
• Problem Solving & Related Theories
• Creative Problem Solving (CPS) Process
• Versions & Variations of CPS
• Add Creativity to your Decision Process

Day 3: Techniques for Effective Decision-Making

• Brainstorming - Generating Options
• Critical Path Analysis - Planning and Scheduling Complex Tasks
• Decision Trees - Powerful Quantitative Analysis of Decision Impact
• Force Field Analysis - Analysis of all Pressures For and Against Change
• 'Plus/Minus/Implications' (PMI) - A Powerful Enhancement to Pros and Cons
• SWOT Analysis - Analysing your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

Day 4: Skillful Analysis & Decision-Making 

• Decision Making & Strategic Leadership
• Enhancing leadership through the better decision making
• Executive Decision Making
• Teams & Decision Making
• Evaluating Consensus Team Decision Making
• The Human Side of Decision Making

Day 5: Decision Making for Improved Leadership

• Problem Solving & Decision Making: Consideration of Individual Differences
• Decision Making & Related Theories
• Guidelines for Leaders to Consider When Making Decisions
• Steps to Wise Decision-Making
• Common Decision-Making Mistakes
• Ethical Decision Making