Creative Problem Solving Course & Learn Techniques
COURSE OUTLINE
This training course has been craftily developed to help attendees effectively use the Power of Creativity as a Problem Solving and Decision Making Tool.
In our lives we face a plethora of problems. Some problems are more complex, like deciding how to prioritize our work, or understanding why a process failed and deciding what to do about it; these require a rational approach to problem solving. Often, things get more complicated, or our decisions could have an important impact on our lives, careers or the lives of those around us; that is where we must have the ability to think critically and make sure there is no flaw in our logic. Creative problem solving hence, is now an invaluable skill.
This training will arm all attendees with the needed skills to ‘think as if there was no box’ and be different.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After the successful completion of this comprehensive training course, participants will be able to:
- Develop and Expand decision making, critical thinking and creative problem solving skills
- Use logical and creative approaches to solving problems and making decisions
- Apply traditional and creative tools for identifying causes and generating solutions
- Administer creativity and lateral thinking as business tools
- Analyze and solve actual problems facing them at work
- Ask the ‘right questions’ and overcoming the stress of making complex decisions
- Strengthen and build credibility with upper management
- Formulate strategic approaches to problem solving and decision making
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY
- Group Live and Instructor-led Classroom Track
- PowerPoint presentation, with pointed breaks to stimulate discussion by the participants.
Participative Classroom Activities, including:
- Ice-Breakers and Energizers
- Behavioral Role Plays
- Focused Video Playback
- Guided Group Discussions
- Management Case Studies
INTENDED AUDIENCE
- Business Leaders and Professionals working in the field of Decision Making and Problem Solving.
- Corporate Practitioners, including specialists, consultants, managers, supervisors and employees with some related experience who wish to advance their functional expertise and competence.
COURSE ASSESSMENT
- Pre-Assessment to gauge current level of conceptual understanding and customize training delivery.
- Session-based Practical Exercises, Reflective Quiz and Peer-group Notes Sharing and Evaluation
- Final Course Assessment, in a test environment, capturing course retention and learning.
COURSE STRUCTURE AND AGENDA
PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING
- Understanding Problem Solving
- Understand Decision Making
- Understanding Creativity Approach
- Overview of Definitions and Tools
- Identifying our own mind traps
- Brain analysis and ways of learning
- Right brain, left brain thinking
- Assessing your thinking style and how it influences the way you approach problem solving
- Learning how to shift from right brain to left brain
- Right decisions at the right times
RATIONAL APPROACH TO PROBLEM SOLVING
- Techniques of recognizing problems
- Information analysis
- Difference between causes and symptoms
- The helicopter approach
- Problem analysis
- Decision analysis
- Potential problem analysis
PROBLEM ANALYSIS SUPPLEMENTARY TOOLS
- Root cause analysis
- The importance of the ‘why’ question
- Ishikawa fishbone concept
- Assumptions in the workplace
- Pareto analysis
- The agile critical thinking framework
- The RED model and business situation applications
DECISION MAKING SUPPLEMENTARY TOOLS
- Being decisive and principles of decision making
- The How-How method
- Decision analysis weighted worksheet
- Consensus decision making
- The decision making process
CREATIVITY AND PROBLEM SOLVING
- Assessment of creativity and ways to think creatively
- Lateral thinking tips
- Creativity and its use as a business tool
- Barriers to creativity and ways to overcome them
- The hemispheres of the brain
- Brainstorming tips and tools
- Six thinking hats
- Implementing an action plan
- Practical Exercise