Problem Solving & Decision Making

Course details

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As an individual, facts and knowledge can only go so far. Solving tough problems requires the ability to define the true problem, analyze the possible causes, create options, select the most feasible option, and then implement it.

How You Will Benefit

• Increase your awareness of problem solving steps and problem solving tools.
• Distinguish root causes from symptoms to identify the right solution for the right problem.
• Improve your problem solving and decision making skills through identifying your own problem solving style.
• Identify ways to think creatively and work towards creative solutions.
• Recognize the top ten rules of good decision-making.

What You Will Cover

• What is Problem Solving?
• Problem Solving Styles
• Earthquake! (Case Study)
• The Problem Solving Model
• Six Ways to Approach a Decision
• The Problem Solving Toolkit (including Gradients of Agreement, fishbone analysis, lasso, cost/benefit analysis, using criteria, and force field analysis)
• Thinking Outside the Box
• Peerless Data Corp (Case Study)
• Introduction and Course Overview
• You will spend the first part of the day getting to know participants and discussing what will take place during the workshop. Students will also have an opportunity to identify their personal learning objectives.
• What is Problem Solving?
• To begin, participants will explore just what problem solving and decision making means. We will also look at different types of decisions, the difference between facts and information, and common decision making traps.
• Problem Solving Styles
• This session will explore the four types of problem solvers. Then, participants will work in small groups to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and how to use that knowledge to become better problem solvers.
• Earthquake!
• This hour long exercise will ask participants to imagine that they are in a crisis situation. It will give them a framework to solve the problem and make decisions.
• The Problem Solving Model
• During this session, 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 two situations.
• 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.
• The Problem Solving Toolkit
• This session will look at eleven basic problem solving tools and two advanced tools (the gradients of agreement and fishbone analysis). Then, participants will apply these tools to a case study in a large group discussion.
• Thinking Outside the Box
• Participants will discuss ways to encourage creative thinking, including brainstorming and the random word method.
• Decision Making Case Study
• The afternoon of Day Two will be spent working on problems with the Peerless Data Corp. Participants will work in small groups to solve five different problems, and will be rewarded based on the quality of their decisions.
• Workshop Wrap-Up
• At the end of the day, students will have an opportunity to ask questions and fill out an action plan.