Course Outline · 1.5 - 2 Days
creative problem solving and decision making
Business professionals who want to develop practical skills and approaches to problem-solving, creative idea generation, and decision-making tools where solutions are not always obvious.
This highly interactive workshop introduces a variety of creative solution generation and decision-making techniques. Participants will develop the skills necessary to analyse a problem, generate creative solutions, and decide which solution most closely matches their needs. After practising the new tools and techniques, participants will apply them to an interesting case study. The case study presented at the beginning of class will take participants back to ancient Egypt where as a team they have to solve a problem otherwise the Pharaoh will be very angry.
At a glance
- Duration — 1.5 - 2 Days
- Who it’s for — Business professionals who want to develop practical skills and approaches to problem-solving, creative idea generation, and decision-making tools where solutions are not always obvious.
- Delivery — Interactive, in-person and hands-on
Delivery methods
- Self-discovery and critique
- Group exploration and facilitator-led discussions
- Game-based learning
- Practical exercises
- Best practice theory exploration
- Apply logical tools to properly analyse problems for root causes.
- Establish and compare options in a variety of situations.
- Identify the best choice from various options and address groupthink.
- Achieve group consensus about important decisions.
- Apply a four-step process to systematically solve problems and decide on appropriate solutions.
- Use methods and tools (systematic process and fishbone diagramming) to discover the underlying cause of a problem.
- Use brainstorming, mind mapping, and several other creative thinking techniques to generate possible solutions to the problem.
- Use the following decision-making techniques: Pro/Con, Force Field Analysis, Decision Matrix, Feasibility/Capability Analysis, and Cost/Benefit Analysis.
- Create an action plan to implement the appropriate solution.
Step 1: Define the Problem
- Systematic problem definition (six basic questions)
- Systematic problem definition grid
- Cause and effect / Fishbone / Ishikawa diagrams
- Why-Why diagrams
Step 2: Find Creative Solutions
- Eight blocks to creative thinking
- Brainstorming techniques
- Mind mapping
- SCAMMPERR creative methodology
- Reverse brainstorming
- De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats
Step 3: Evaluate and Select Solution
- Pro and con analysis
- Steps in force field analysis
- Cost / benefit analysis
- Feasibility / capability analysis
- Decision matrix application
Step 4: Implement Solution and Create an Action Plan
- Planning and scheduling
- Planning steps and risk identification
- The big planning tip
- Implementation roadmap and accountability
Competitive review game
Tell us your team size, dates and objectives and we’ll tailor the delivery to your business.