Creative Thinking & Problem Solving & Decision Making

Creative Thinking & Problem Solving & Decision Making

Course Objectives:      

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Identify Thinking Styles
  • Define and use Lateral Thinking to generate ideas
  • Explain and use Mind Mapping
  • List strategies for Creative thinking
  • Identify Six Thinking Hats
  • Practice Brainstorming
  • Ask effective questions – Probing Technique
  • Use the SIMPLEX Technique in creative problem solving
  • Apply the steps of creativity and innovation
  • Measure creativity & innovation
  • Identify the steps of making effective decisions
  • Explain problem solving and decision-making tools and techniques

Course Content:

Thinking Styles

  • Lateral Thinking definition
  • Thinking laterally
  • Using lateral thinking to generate ideas
  • Lateral vs. Creative
  • Outside of the box vs. there’s no box
  • Left Brain/Right Brain orientation

Mind Mapping

  • The importance and characteristics of Mind Maps
  • How to use Mind Maps
  • The power of generating ideas
  • The major stages of Mind Maps

Strategies for Creative and Innovative Thinking

  • Walas Theory – 1926
  • West Theory – 1990

Creativity and Innovation Tools

  • Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats
  • Brainstorming
  • Asking effective questions – Probing Technique
  • Plan and Strategy and Design Thinking
  • Analytical skills by clarifying relevant issues and questions: why, who, options, benefits and risks

Problem Solving Fundamentals

  • Defining and Identifying Problems
  • The steps of effective problem-solving system
  • Generating alternatives
  • Evaluating and selecting alternatives
  • Implementing solutions

Analysing Problems

  • Understanding Complexity
  • Cause-and-Effect Diagram
  • Discover the root cause of a problem
  • Uncover bottlenecks in your processes
  • Identify where and why a process isn’t working

The SIMPLEX Technique in Creative Problem Solving

  • Problem Solving Assessment?
  • Problem Solving tools
  • 5 Why’s Technique
  • SWOT Analysis

Problems Tools

  • The use of the analytical techniques in solving problems
  • Questions Techniques
  • Positive mindset in explaining problems
  • How to confront problems to prevent future stress
  • The anatomy of problems and why they persist

Decision Making   

  • What, Why and Effects and Benefits of Decision
  • Characteristics of a strategic decision maker
  • Decision making Assessment
  • Challenges of making good strategic decisions

Decision Making Techniques

  • Pareto Analysis
  • Paired Comparison
  • Thomas Satay’s analysis
  • Forced Field Analysis
  • PMI

Challenges and Obstacles

  • People related
  • Process related
  • Power related
  • Origin of poor decisions and impact on current circumstances

Stages of Making Effective Decisions

  • Six Steps to make an Effective Decision
  • Create a constructive environment
  • Generate good alternatives
  • Explore these alternatives
  • Choose the best alternative
  • Check your decision
  • Communicate your decision, and take action
  • Prioritization – Identify and select priorities
  • Effects of better decisions on leadership impact and organizational performance
  • Factors to consider when decisions are made at different levels i.e. senior management, project team, cross-functional etc.
  • Mental reasoning flaws

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for executives, managers, professionals, salespeople, entrepreneurs, customer service representatives

Training Methodology

The workshop is highly interactive and includes

  • Group discussions
  • Individual exercises and team activities
  • Personal Assessments
  • Games
  • Role playing
  • Case study
  • Exercise & Experience sharing
  • Video clips covering above topics

Competencies Covered

  • Analysis
  • Problem solving
  • Creativity & Innovation
  • Drive to Result
  • Decision Making and Taking