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- Creative Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Course (1 day)
Creative Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Course (1 day)
In one day, your team learns a six-step method for defining problems properly, generating real options and choosing a solution that holds.
When a problem lands on a manager's desk, the usual response is to grab the first workable fix. Often it treats a symptom, the problem returns, and the team loses more time than if it had stopped to think. This one-day creative problem solving course gives delegates a simple six-step process they can apply to any workplace problem the same afternoon.
The day moves briskly through each step: gathering information and testing it with the key questions, defining the problem and where it started, clearing the mental blocks that kill good ideas, generating options with brainstorming, brainwriting, mind maps and the six thinking hats, weighing them with criteria and cost/benefit analysis, and planning implementation and follow-up. Critical thinking runs through the day as a set of quick checks – is this a fact or an opinion, what are we assuming, what could go wrong – rather than as a separate module.
It suits teams that need a practical method in a single day. Teams that want deeper practice in critical thinking should choose the two-day course.
Why this course
For your organisation
- A quick, common method for tackling problems across the team
- Fewer recurring problems patched only at the symptom
- More options considered before money is spent
- Solutions with clear owners, follow-up and review
For your delegates
- A six-step process you can use the same day
- Several idea-generation techniques you can run with your own team
- Simple tools for comparing options and choosing one
- A plan for a real problem you bring to the course
What delegates will be able to do
- Follow the six steps of creative problem solving from information to action
- Ask the key questions that separate facts from opinions and assumptions
- Write a clear problem statement based on the present and desired state
- Identify and clear mental blocks before generating ideas
- Run an idea session using brainwriting, mind mapping and the six thinking hats
- Compare options with criteria, cost/benefit and paired comparison analysis
- Plan implementation, a follow-up meeting and a review of what was learned
Who should attend
Team leaders, supervisors, junior and middle managers, project team members and staff in any role who need a practical problem-solving method quickly. It works well as a team session in which delegates bring a shared problem and solve it together.
Course outline
Day 1 – Six steps from problem to solution
The creative problem-solving method
- What counts as a problem, and symptoms versus causes
- The six steps: gather, define, generate, evaluate, select and plan
- Critical thinking checks at each step
Gathering information and defining the problem
- Facts, opinions and assumptions
- The who, what, where, when, why and how questions
- Present state, desired state and the gap between them
- Writing and testing a problem statement
Preparing to generate ideas
- Common mental blocks and how to clear them
- Ground rules for a productive idea session
Generating options
- Brainstorming and brainwriting
- Mind mapping
- Duncker diagrams and the morphological matrix
- The six thinking hats and the blink method
Evaluating and selecting a solution
- Setting criteria: musts and wants
- Cost/benefit analysis
- Paired comparison and a final check
- Asking what could go wrong
From decision to action
- Tasks, resources and owners
- Implementing, evaluating and adapting
- Planning the follow-up meeting and recording lessons learned
- Workshop: applying the six steps to your own problem
How it is delivered
One day, 08:30-16:00. In person at your offices anywhere in South Africa, at a BOTI venue, or live online. One delegate or a group of up to 20; exercises can use a real problem your team is facing. Workbook and problem-solving templates included. We deliver it at your offices in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and anywhere else in South Africa, at a BOTI venue in Johannesburg, or live online for teams in different places.
What our clients say
★★★★★ 4.8 on Google from 790+ reviews · word-for-word quotes from signed letters of reference, from clients on this and/or related BOTI courses
“The feedback received from them was great. The material was easy to understand, and the trainer was very patient and friendly.”
“The courses was efficiently scheduled and planned around our timetable. We were impressed by the quality of training … with overall scores of 5 out of 5.”
“All training sessions were well-coordinated, professionally delivered, and aligned with our scheduling requirements. We were particularly impressed by the high standard of facilitation and the depth of expertise demonstrated throughout the programmes.”
Frequently asked questions
Can you run this course at our offices?
Yes. Most groups are trained at the client's premises anywhere in South Africa. We can also host it at a BOTI venue or deliver it live online.
How many people can attend?
From one delegate to groups of about 20. The price per delegate drops as the group grows – see the price table, or ask us for a quote.
Is it accredited?
No – it is a non-accredited short course and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance.
How is this different from the two-day and three-day courses?
This one-day course covers the creative problem-solving process, with critical thinking built in as quick checks. The two-day course adds a full day of critical thinking practice, and the three-day course adds a further day on creativity and innovation in the team.
Can the team work on a real problem?
Yes. Bring a current problem and the group works it through all six steps during the day, ending with an action plan.
Can you run this course in Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban?
Yes. We train on site at your offices in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and across South Africa, at a BOTI venue in Johannesburg, or live online so a team spread over several offices can attend together.
Related courses
Ask a consultant for a written quote
A BOTI consultant emails you a written quote, usually within 15 minutes (Mon–Fri, 08:00–17:00). After hours, we reply on the next working day. To speak to someone now, call 011 882 8853.
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