problem solving

Problem Solving & Decision Making

This Course is for anyone wishing to develop good strong problem-solving skills, which can make and a difference to you career.  A fundamental part of every manager’s role is finding ways to solve problems you face, so being a confident problem solver is really important to your success.  Much of that confidence comes from having a good process to use when approaching a problem.

By the end of the course you will be able to:

Understand why problem solving techniques are important

Consider popular toolkits to understand the real problem

Identify Alternatives for approaches to resolve the problem

Understand the process of Decision Making

Create an action plan to implement the best alternative

Problem Solving

What is it? Why is it Important?

The 4 steps to problem solving

The Simplex problem-solving process

Defining the Real Problem & Alternative Solutions

Establish the need for a solution

Contextualise the problem, write the problem statement

Identify Alternative Solutions & Involve others to find alternatives to resolve the problem

Brainstorm for solutions, what is the risk associated with each alternative

Screening the alternatives to find the best idea

Understanding How we Make Decisions

Functions of the brain in making decisions

How do we think?

5 Golden rules of decision making

Decision Making Tools

Establish which approach is the most likely to solve the problem for the long-term

Which is the most realistic alternative

Decision Toolkits to help with decision making

Plan to Implement the best solutions

What steps should be taken to implement the best alternative

Establish indicators of the success of the plan

What resources will you need in terms of people, equipment, budgets

How to effectively communicate and ‘sell’ the plan to others

Are you achieving the results expected? Is the plan on schedule?