Introduction
We are continuously confronted with problems that require us to make decisions. Most decisions are reached without requiring any complex decision-making process: We’re hungry? We decide to eat. Some problems are more complex, like deciding how to prioritize our work, or understanding why a process failed and deciding what to do about it; these require a rational approach to problem-solving. Often, things get even more complicated, or our decisions could have an important impact on our lives, careers or the lives of those around us; that is where we must have the ability to think critically and make sure there is no flaw in our logic. At other times the problem is so unusual that it defies rational and critical thinking; these are the times where creative problem solving becomes an invaluable tool.
In this course, we will cover all these important thinking approaches. After understanding the thinking mechanisms, we will provide you with methods and tools that you will practice during the sessions and that can help you at work or in life, and from the most mundane situations to the most difficult or unusual ones.
Course Objectives:
- Build and expand decision making, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving skills
- Apply logical and creative approaches to solving problems and making decisions
- Use traditional and creative tools for identifying causes and generating solutions
- Employ creativity and lateral thinking as business tools
- Analyze and solve actual problems facing them at work
- Demonstrate and build credibility with upper management
- Develop strategic approaches to problem-solving and decision making
Target Audience
Business professionals who want to take their critical thinking to the next level by using both their experience and intuition to make the right moves and decisions, and Managers, supervisors, and administrators who will benefit from better problem solving and decision-making skills.
Target Competencies:
- Evaluating options
- Problem-solving ability and anticipating potential problems
- Attention to details
- Situation analysis
- Balanced decision making
- Practical and proactive thinking
- Creativity
- Intuitive decision making
Course Outlines
Day (1) Problem-solving and decision making
- Definition of ‘problem’
- Definition of ‘problem-solving’
- Definition of ‘decision making’
- Creative problem solving and decision making
- The helicopter view
- Problem diagnosis
- Defining the opportunity or problem
- The link between causes and symptoms
- Problem deviation
- The right decisions at the right time
Day (2) 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
Day (3) Problem analysis supplementary tools
- Root cause analysis
- Creative problem solving and decision making
- The five-why process
- The cause and effect diagram
- The fishbone diagram
- Pareto analysis
Day (4) 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 analyzing alternatives
- Use of the matrix
- Effective decision making
- The decision-making matrix
- Definition of ‘consensus’
Day (5) 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
About Dubai
Dubai, located on the Persian Gulf, is one of the seven United Arab Emirates and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The discovery of oil in the region has made Dubai extremely wealthy, allowing it to build the glittering skyscrapers that it is now famous for. That wealth is strongly in evidence in Dubai and visitors will see luxurious buildings and supercars aplenty. Perfect beaches and endless shopping opportunities are to key to Dubai's attractions. Flights to Dubai open up the city's cultural attractions to tourists, with beautiful mosques, museums and art galleries scattered throughout this ultra-modern metropolis.
Things to do and places to visit in Dubai
Dubai's wealth has made it famous for building ever taller buildings and creating artificial islands off its shores. The city's hotels are luxurious and shoppers will love its extensive shopping malls which showcase all the world's top brands. Dubai's attractions don't end there. Dubai also caters to adventure lovers, who can jump in a 4x4 or on a board to speed over dunes outside the city. Local culture mustn't be forgotten either, and visitors have wonderful mosques to visit and old districts to explore. All that combined means that a flight to Dubai is sure to lead to an unforgettable holiday.
When visiting Dubai, be sure to:
- Go to the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.
- Admire the intricately beautiful Grand Mosque, which has the tallest minaret in the city.
- Understand the local history and culture with a visit to the Dubai Museum.
- Discover objects from the 6th century at Jumeirah Archaeological Site.
- Go skiing – That's not a joke, the Mall of the Emirates houses a snowdome.
- Go shopping at the Mall of the Emirates or the Dubai Mall.
- Explore the desert surrounding the city – either by 4x4 or atop a camel.
- Eat fantastic seafood at Dubai Marina.
- Cool off at the Wild Wadi Waterpark.
- Marvel at gorgeous Arabic calligraphy at Jumeirah Mosque, the biggest in the city.
- Take a yacht tour around the artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah.
- Haggle for souvenirs in one of the city's souks.
- Wander around the traditional building in Bastakiya District.