Critical Thinking Skills for Decision Making

This programme delivers Problem Solving Techniques, one of the unique competencies all managers, whether budding or experienced, must possess.

The ability of a manager to solve problems will be reflected in:

• Gathering information

• Marshaling relevant resources

• Weighing options

• Assessing risks

• Taking decisive action.

What the Participants will Learn?

• Definitions and data collection for various workplace problems

• Root Cause analysis

• Crisis investigation, recovery and prevention procedures

• Process for documenting solutions and decisions

• Character and techniques needed for making value-laden decisions.

Course Contents

Day One

• Three things’ people do when faced with problems

• Generic skills necessary for solving problems

• Personality types and problem solving

• Defining a problem

• Listing possible solutions

• Evaluating options

• The Tools of Root Cause Analysis

• Generating Ideas:

• Need for a repertoire of strategies
• Choosing what to do

• Changing nature of problem through simplification

• Communicating the problem to another party

• Individual differences in approaching problems

• Use of meaningful information and business knowledge

• Setting limits to the problem

• Focusing on desired goals to maintain all through the process

• Taking action.

Day Two

• Creativity – “thinking-outside-the-box”:

• Be flexible
• Be firm
• Be fast

• Individuals problem-solving approaches

• Differences between best and worst problem solvers

• Innovative problem solvers mind journey

• Demonstrating decision making willpower

• Critical thinking

• De Bono’s six thinking hats

• Thinking “out of the box”.

Day Three

• Handling Modern Day Business Problems:

• Business goals/objectives
• Business strategy and leadership
• Business environment/competition
• Human capital management
• Organisational culture and way of working
• Change management
• Technology
• Risk management
• Financial management
• Information management
• Supply chain management
• Inter-site transfers and new production introduction
• Quality management

• Key ingredients for Problem solving:

• Team Approach
• Process focus
• Measurement (is critical)
• Scientific Approach

• Developing procedure to pick early warnings of problems

• Contingency to lessen the effects of problems