Course Description

Problem solving is a key skill in both our personal and professional lives. It's a mental process, where we need to establish, analyse and solve situations that are a problem, issue or challenge. The goal of problem solving is to overcome these obstacles, and to find a solution that best resolves the issue.

This 3 hour session gives you the opportunity to explore the problems that you may experience and establish both the type of problem and the root cause. Through applying various tools and techniques, you will establish the best method of dealing with the external and internal factors that have caused the issue, and create a course of action which will lead to resolution of the situation.

Target Student

Any professionals who want to develop a structured approach to problem solving and decision making in the workplace, whether dealing with individual challenges or leading team-based problem resolution.

Pre-requisites

• None

Core Learning Objectives

• Establish a problem, its nature, scope and impact
• Collate, interpret and summarise information and data to help identify possible solutions
• Explore different decision making techniques, and decide which best fits with specific challenges
• Consider the human aspect involved in any decisions
• Realise that problems may be opportunities, and consider how creativity can become part of the solution
• Apply the relevant technique to a situation you or your team are currently experiencing
• Create an action plan, including a communication plan to ensure most effective implementation
• Monitor, review and evaluate implementation
• Create a personal action plan

Course Outline

1. Defining the Problem

• Establishing the nature, scope and impact of a problem
• Identifying root causes versus symptoms
• Understanding external and internal factors

2. Gathering and Interpreting Information

• Collating relevant information and data
• Interpreting and summarising findings
• Identifying possible solutions based on evidence

3. Decision Making Techniques

• Exploring a range of decision making tools
• Selecting the right technique for the challenge
• Considering the human aspect of decisions

4. Creativity in Problem Solving

• Reframing problems as opportunities
• Applying creative thinking techniques
• Generating and evaluating alternative solutions

5. Implementation and Action Planning

• Creating an action plan for the chosen solution
• Developing a communication plan to support implementation
• Applying techniques to a current real-world situation

6. Monitoring and Review

• Monitoring progress against the plan
• Reviewing and evaluating the implementation
• Developing a personal action plan