Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Participants will be able to apply what they learn in the class immediately and often find they want to share what they’ve learned across their team and departments.

Overview

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving is a very interactive and engaging instructor-led class with discussions where the facilitator solicits input and examples from the participants. Numerous tools and processes support the concepts. Participants are engaged to utilize these tools to work through a work process/problem that they have identified for improvement. The class uses actual case studies to work through the problem-solving steps. We realized that there are many times obstacles and challenges in making change, this is especially true in today’s environment. As a group, we’ll discuss how to manage and influence change and process improvement suggestions from their level in the Agency/Organization. Participants will be able to apply what they learn in the class immediately and often find they want to share what they’ve learned across their team and departments.

Audience

Leaders, supervisors and team leaders.

Length

16 hours

Outline

DAY 1
A. Welcome and Opening (:10)
• Roster Sign-in
B. Agenda, Objectives & Introductions (:35)
C. Critical Thinking (:30)
• Intro & Overview
• Activity: What kind of thinking?
D. Critical Thinking (:30)
• What is it?
• Life Skill
• What is Involved

E. Critical Thinkers (:60)
Activity:
• Ladder of Inference
• Skilled Thinkers
• Expert Critical Thinkers
• Uncritical Thinkers
F. Thinkers and Questioning(:60)
• Thinker’s Lexicon
• Activity: Self-Reflection
• Asking Questions
• Stupid Questions

G. Listening (:30)
• Techniques
• Activity
H. Code Busters Activity (:30)
I. 4 Aspects of Critical Thinking (:30)

J. Mapping a Process (:60)
• Brainstorm, identify processes
• Select
• Map
• Each team report out
K. Day 1 Recap – Day 2 Preview (:10)
DAY 2
L. Welcome Back and Opening (:10)
• Roster Sign-in
M. Objectives (:20)
• Agenda
• Review & recap
• Ah-ha’s & questions
• Prepare for today’s activities
N. Problem Solving Process (:90)
(Discuss and teams apply each one to their work process)
• 8 step Process
• Problem Finding
• Fact Finding
• Problem Definition
• 9 Ways to Analyze

O. Activity: Developing Problem and Impact Statements (;20)
P. Tools and Processes (:90)
Activities apply for several of these several slides
• Fishbone Diagram / Root Cause Analysis
• Open Communication
• ESS (End State Statement)
• SCAMPER

Q. Tools and Processes (cont) (:60)
• Affinity Diagram
• KSI’s (Key Success Indicators)
• Selection Criteria
• Weighted List
• SWOT
R. Developing a Solution Roadmap(:60)
• Thinker’s Lexicon
• Activity: Self-Reflection
• Asking Questions
• Stupid Questions

S. Pitching Your Solutions (:60)
• PROBE
• Developing a Pitch
• Team Presentations

T. Summary & Wrap-up (:15)
• Recap (tie values back to objectives & their goals)
• Answer questions
• EVALS
• THANK YOU!