All of us solve problems and make decisions every day. Usually, we make little decisions that are common to our lives and as a result, do so without much thought. However, when the problems get larger and are outside the scope of our understanding, they can appear to be insurmountable.
In this program you will learn the key elements of problem solving, expanding your thinking, gathering more information, organizing your thoughts, evaluating alternatives and making a decision. You will work individually and in groups to apply these concepts in a variety of applications.
Key Information
Explore the factors that affect our ability to reason effectively
Get behind your thinking and draw out your assumptions and hidden beliefs
Learn how to analyze situations and apply the appropriate decision-making process
Explore the three kinds of decisions that confront supervisors on the job
Discover how perceptions and assumptions affect your reasoning process
Identify specific techniques for improving your problem solving
Learn the four characteristics that make up divergent and convergent thinking
Learn how to create new, collective viewpoints from the input of others
Learn the four rules for participatory decision making
Practice group problem solving techniques through hands-on exercises
Explore better ways of asking questions
Learn how asking questions can help uncover the real problem
Learn how to define a problem effectively and write a problem statement
The right questions keep our thinking open and flexible
Identify common mistakes in problem solving and how to avoid them
What You Will Learn
What factors affect our ability to think effectively
How assumptions can affect your reasoning process
How to define a problem effectively
An effective way of asking questions
Arrive at quality decisions
Benefits of Attending
The ultimate goal of this program is to become a more effective decision maker, both individually and when working with others. When working with a team, you will become more aware of individual styles and group dynamics. You will also learn techniques to communicate your ideas effectively, in order to gain consensus and minimize conflict.
