Creative Problem Solving and Decision Making

This course will benefit employees from all areas and levels of business who need to plan methods to solve problems and make decisions accordingly.

Identification of decision-making and problem solving techniques and methods
Develop appropriate strategies to apply decision-making and problem solving techniques in the workplace
Define problems accurately
Use different techniques/tools for generating ideas
An understanding of which techniques/tools suit which problems
An understanding of how to evaluate and select the smartest solution
Putting plans into action

THE PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS
• Recognising the problem exists
• Defining what the problem really is
• Identifying likely causes
• Identifying the real cause
• Generating possible solutions
• Choosing the best solution
• Implementing the solution

SELECTING AND DEFINING THE PROBLEM
• Identify the problem clearly
• Understand the distinction between serious problems and urgent problems

DETERMINING THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM
• Root cause analysis process
• Tools to determine causes of problems
– 5 Whys
– Fishbone

CREATIVITY AND TOOLS TO GENERATE SOLUTIONS
• Logical thinking versus lateral thinking
• The power of perception
• Thinking tools to generate solutions
– Reverse brainstorming
– Brainwriting
– Random word
– Provocation and movement

MAKING THE CORRECT DECISION
• Evaluating and selecting the best solution
• Identify the steps in determining the feasibility and practicality of aspects of a potential solution
• Evaluate the feasibility and practicality of possible solutions to your selected problem
• Receive group feedback on the solution you selected
• Tools for evaluation and selection
– Hi-Low Sorting Model
– Prioritization Matrix
– P.M.I – Plus, Minus, Interesting

IMPLEMENTING THE SOLUTION

LEARNING TOOLS

Reverse brainstorming model
Brainwriting 6-3-5 method
5 why’s model
Random word technique
Mind mapping technique
Hi/Lo model
P.M.I model
6 thinking hats model