Strategic Decision Making and Problem Solving (1-Day Course)
Description:
We make decisions and solve problems continually. We start making decisions before we even get out of bed (shall I get up now or not?). Sometimes, we will have made as many as 50 decisions by the time we leave for work. Despite all the natural decision making that goes on and the problem solving we do, some people are very uncomfortable with having to make decisions. You may know someone who has a hard time making decisions about what to eat, never mind the internal wrestling they go through in order to take on major decisions at work.
Course Objectives:
This two-day workshop will teach participants to:
- Apply problem solving steps and tools
- Analyze information to clearly describe problems
- Identify appropriate solutions
- Think creatively and be a contributing member of a problem solving team
- Select the best approach for making decisions
- Create a plan for implementing, evaluating, and following up on decisions
- Avoid common decision-making mistakes
Outline:
LESSON 1: COURSE OVERVIEW
You will spend the first part of the day getting to know participants and discussing what will take place during the workshop. Students will also have an opportunity to identify their personal learning objectives.
Lesson 2: Definitions
- Defining Problem Solving & Decision Making
- Problem Identification
- Eight Essentials to Defining a Problem
- Problem Solving in Action
- Debrief
Lesson 3: Getting Real
- Pre-Assignment Review
- Debrief
Lesson 4: The Problem-solving model
- Model Overview
- Real Problems
- Debrief
- Phase One
- Phase Two
- Phase Three
Lesson 5: The Problem-Solving Toolkit
- The Basic Tools
- The Fishbone
- Degrees of Support
- Creative Thinking Methods
- More Methods
Lesson 6: Lost at SEA
- Decision Information
- Survival Actions Steps
- Debrief
- Lost at Sea Survival Scores
Lesson 7: Swotting Up
- SWOT Analysis
- Individual Analysis
Lesson 8: making good group decisions
- Working Toward the Decision
- Avoiding Fatal Mistakes
Lesson 9: Analyzing and selecting solutions
- Selecting Criteria
Lesson 10: Planning and Organizing
- Introduction
- Follow-Up Analysis
- Evaluate
- Adapt, Close, and Celebrate
Workshop Wrap-up