- Home
- /
- Non-Accredited
- /
- Workplace Essentials & Personal Effectiveness
- /
- Problem Solving and Decision Making Training (1 day)
Problem Solving and Decision Making Training (1 day)
Teams learn to define the real problem, compare options fairly and commit to a decision they can implement and explain.
Many workplace problems keep coming back because the first fix treated a symptom, or because the decision was made on gut feel and nobody could explain it later. This practical problem solving training gives teams one shared, step-by-step method: gather the facts, define the problem properly, generate options, choose with clear criteria and plan the follow-through.
The day moves from problem to decision. Delegates learn to separate facts from opinions, describe the gap between the present state and the desired state, and remove the mental blocks that limit their options. They then use practical decision tools – weighted criteria, wants versus needs, cost-benefit analysis, paired comparison and potential problem analysis – to choose a solution and test it before committing time and money.
Delegates practise on problems from their own work, present a recommendation to the group and leave with an implementation plan for one of those problems. Where the critical thinking courses focus on how to reason, this day focuses on reaching and carrying out a decision.
Why this course
For your organisation
- Problems fixed at the root instead of recurring
- Decisions that can be explained and defended
- Faster agreement because everyone uses the same method
- Fewer costly surprises after a decision is implemented
For your delegates
- A step-by-step method for any work problem
- Practical tools for comparing options fairly
- Confidence to recommend and justify a decision
- An implementation plan for a real problem you face
What delegates will be able to do
- Distinguish a problem from its symptoms and gather the right information
- Define a problem clearly, including where it started and the desired state
- Identify and remove mental blocks that limit options
- Generate options using brainstorming, mind mapping and the six thinking hats
- Set decision criteria and separate wants from needs
- Compare options with cost-benefit analysis and paired comparison
- Anticipate what could go wrong before committing to a solution
- Plan, implement and review a solution, and record the lessons learned
Who should attend
Team leaders, supervisors, junior managers, project and operations staff, and anyone who has to solve recurring problems or make decisions that affect other people. It suits whole teams that want a common method for tackling problems together.
Course outline
Day 1 – From problem to decision
Understanding the problem
- Problems versus symptoms
- The steps of a structured problem-solving process
- Facts, opinions and the key questions to ask
- Quick ways to gather the information you need
Defining the problem
- Tracing where the problem began
- Present state versus desired state
- Stating and restating the problem until it is precise
- Analysing the likely causes
Generating options
- Recognising and removing mental blocks
- Brainstorming and brainwriting
- Mind mapping and Duncker diagrams
- The morphological matrix and the six thinking hats
- Rapid, instinct-based decisions and when they are appropriate
Making the decision
- Developing and weighting decision criteria
- Wants versus needs
- Cost-benefit analysis
- Paired comparison analysis
- Potential problem analysis: what could go wrong
Implementing and learning
- Identifying tasks, owners and resources
- Implementing, evaluating and adapting
- Planning the follow-up meeting
- Recording lessons learned and recognising success
Practice and action plan
- Team exercise on a real workplace problem
- Presenting and defending a recommendation
- Personal implementation plan
- Evaluation and close
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 built on your own workplace problems on request. Workbook, decision templates and an implementation plan 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
“We were particularly impressed by the quality of facilitation and the practical relevance of the content presented. The programme was delivered with professionalism, clarity, and a strong emphasis on real-world application”
“The course was efficiently organized and aligned with our schedule. We were impressed by the quality of the training and the expertise of the facilitator.”
“They were very professional, and they never failed us at any point during the process. They have met our expectations with both trainings.”
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. This one-day course is non-accredited and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance.
How is this different from the critical thinking courses?
This course concentrates on solving a specific problem and reaching a decision. The Critical Thinking courses focus on the reasoning behind it – testing evidence, spotting bias and evaluating arguments.
Can we bring our own problems?
Yes. Send us one or two current issues beforehand and the facilitator builds the team exercises around them.
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.
Your quote request is for: Problem Solving and Decision Making Training (1 day)