Find this course by searching for: decision-making training, decision-making course, decision-making seminar, decision-making class, decision-making program, critical thinking training, critical thinking course, critical thinking seminar, critical thinking class, critical thinking program

Problem Solving & Decision Making

This, That, What Is It?: Defining Problems and Making Decisions

Available Formats

• Half Day
• One Day

Program Overview

Why is it that some people find it easy to solve tough problems with simple solutions while others find this feat nearly impossible? You've no doubt looked at solutions to problems and said, "I should have thought of that." But you didn't. The answer is not just creativity, although that certainly helps. Rather, the power to find these creative solutions lies in our ability to search for and find facts that relate to the situation and put them together in ways that work. For an individual, facts and knowledge can only go so far. By tapping into the knowledge of others (staff, colleagues, family, or friends), anyone can expand the range of available solutions.

Program Overview

At this program's conclusion, participants should be able to:

• Better use problem-solving steps and problem-solving tools.
• Distinguish root causes from symptoms to identify the right solution for the right problem.
• Improve problem-solving and decision-making skills by identifying individual problem-solving styles.
• Think creatively and work towards creative solutions.
• Recognize the top ten rules of good decision making.

The following outline highlights some of the course's key learning points. As part of your training program, we will modify content as needed to meet your business objectives. Upon request, we will provide you with a copy of the participant materials prior to the session(s).

Course Outline

What's the Problem Here?: Understanding What Problem Solving Is

To begin, participants will explore just what problem solving and decision making mean. We will also look at different types of decisions, the difference between facts and information, and common decision-making traps.

What's Your Style?: Problem-Solving Approaches

This segment will explore the four types of problem solvers. Then, participants will work in small groups to identify their strengths and weaknesses and use that knowledge to become better problem solvers.

What's the Path?: The Problem-Solving Model

During this unit, participants will learn about a three-phase model that they can apply to most problems. They will also have an opportunity to apply the model to various situations.

How Many Roads Are There?: Six Ways to Approach a Decision

Next, participants will learn about Edward DeBono's six thinking hats, and they will practice using the hats during a problem-solving discussion. Then they will look at 11 basic problem-solving tools and two advanced tools. Finally, they will apply these tools to a case study in a large group discussion.

Is There Another Way?: Thinking Outside the Box

The program concludes with a discussion of ways to encourage creative thinking including brainstorming and the random-word method.

At the program's completion, participants will have an understanding of problem-solving and decision-making techniques and methods.

Find this course by searching for: decision-making training, decision-making course, decision-making seminar, decision-making class, decision-making program, critical thinking training, critical thinking course, critical thinking seminar, critical thinking class, critical thinking program

This outline adapted under license