Who Should Attend:

• Managers & Supervisors
• Team Leaders & Team Members
• Business professionals

Course Objectives

• An overview of the definition of a problem and problem solving
• Learn how to identify and clarify issues that need to be resolved
• Understand how to set priorities and determine appropriate steps to deal with issues
• Learn how to find the root cause of a problem before investing in expensive solutions
• Explore ways to exercise sound judgment when evaluating and resolving problems
• Identify how to set goals with clarity of purpose and appropriate scope for a decision
• Develop a set of criteria for evaluation of solution options and assessment of risk
• Improve confidence in leading assignments and tasks, and in decision-making.

What will you gain?

By the end of this course you will be able to:

• Demonstrate improved effectiveness in identifying and resolving problems
• Reduce problem solving cycle time
• Smoothly execute and implement projects and plans
• Improve communication with team members, enabling better team work
• Reduce time spent on errors and redoing work
• Have peace of mind knowing you have reached the best possible decision using creative problem-solving techniques.

Course Content

• Overview
  • Brainstorming – 100 Uses For...
  • Housekeeping & Ground Rules
• Is it a problem?
  • What is a Problem?
  • Problem Thinking vs. Solution Thinking
  • Problem/Challenge Reframe
  • Coaching for possibilities
• Defining The Problem
  • Key questions to ask
  • Clustering Challenges – Affinity Diagrams
  • Are you facing the wrong challenge? The Pareto Principle
  • Developing a problem statement
  • Stating the Goal
• PS & DM as an Organisational Process
  • Organisational Learning
  • Organisational Architecture
• Challenge Analysis – How to Think
  • The wheel of Multiple Perspectives
  • Possible Causes - Fishbone
• Identifying Possible Solutions
  • Brainstorming Basics
  • Brain-Writing
  • The How-How
• Selecting and Evaluating the Best Solutions
  • The Six Thinking Hats
  • Grid Analysis - Weighted Worksheet
  • The Decision Matrix
  • Paired Comparison Analysis
• Action Plan and Implementation
  • Sequential Action Planning
  • Well Formed Outcomes
  • Scenario Planning
  • Walt Disney Strategy
• Organisational Decision Making
  • Culture Values
  • Win/Win Communication
  • High Stakes Decision Making.

Testimonials

• "Everything was excellent – the lecture, the videos, the team work, the class work, the interactive slideshow & the Q&A. The programme actually used what it was teaching - 'thinking outside the box’. It will help me to look at problems from a different perspective."
• "Very interactive course that provided a lot of enlightened ideas and information."
• "I would highly recommend this course. It is very beneficial in helping you in your creative thinking process."