Course Outlines:
Module One:
Problem solving and decision making
- Definition of ‘problem’
- Definition of ‘problem solving’
- Definition of ‘decision making’
- Creative problem solving and decision making
- The helicopter views
- Problem diagnosis
- Defining the opportunity or problem
- The link between causes and symptoms
- Problem deviation
- The right decisions at the right time
Module Two:
The rational approach to problem solving (Kepner & Tregoe)
- Defining the problem
- Writing a problem statement
- Techniques for recognizing problems
- Six important questions to clear out
- The rational approach
- Kepner & Tregoe
Module Three:
Problem analysis supplementary tools
- Root cause analysis
- Creative problem solving and decision making
- The five-why process
- The cause-and-effect diagram
- The fishbone diagrams
- Pareto analysis
Module Four:
Decision making supplementary tools
- Effective decision making
- Why-Why and how-how analysis
- The how-how method
- Choice making
- The decision analysis worksheet
- The Kepner & Tregoe method for analysing alternatives
- Use of the matrix
- Effective decision making
- The decision-making matrix
- Definition of ‘consensus’
Module Five:
Creativity and problem solving
- The need for thinking skills
- Mental structures of college students
- Stages in problem solving and decision making
- The human brain
- Understanding the two hemispheres of the brain
- Critical thinking
- Lateral thinking
- Mental blocks to creative thinking
- Brainstorming
- The six thinking hats