Introduction

In an era characterized by rapid change and complex challenges, the ability to think critically and solve problems creatively is essential for professional success and organizational effectiveness. This training course equips participants with tools and techniques for enhancing their creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Through interactive activities and real-world scenarios, participants will learn how to approach problems systematically, generate innovative solutions, and make informed decisions.

Objectives

By the end of this training course, participants will:

1. Understand Critical Thinking and Creative Problem Solving: Define critical thinking and creative problem-solving and their importance in the workplace.
2. Identify Problem-Solving Models: Recognize various problem-solving frameworks and models.
3. Enhance Creative Thinking Skills: Develop techniques to foster creativity and generate innovative ideas.
4. Apply Critical Thinking Techniques: Learn methods for evaluating information, analyzing arguments, and making sound decisions.
5. Create Actionable Solutions: Combine creative and critical thinking skills to develop practical solutions to real-world problems.
6. Implement an Action Plan for Continuous Improvement: Develop a personal action plan for applying creative problem-solving and critical thinking in daily work.

Who Should Attend?

This training course is ideal for:

• Managers and team leaders looking to enhance their decision-making capabilities.
• Employees at all levels seeking to improve their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Project managers and team members involved in complex problem resolution.
• Anyone interested in developing their creativity and analytical abilities in a professional setting.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Creative Problem Solving and Critical Thinking

• Morning Session: Understanding Critical Thinking
  • Definition of critical thinking and its significance in the workplace
  • Characteristics of a critical thinker and the critical thinking process
• Afternoon Session: The Creative Problem-Solving Process
  • Overview of creative problem-solving and its relevance in professional settings
  • Group discussion: Examples of effective problem-solving in organizations

Day 2: Problem Identification and Framing

• Morning Session: Identifying Problems Effectively
  • Techniques for identifying and defining problems clearly
  • Workshop: Analyzing case studies to pinpoint key issues
• Afternoon Session: Framing Problems for Creative Solutions
  • Understanding how framing affects problem perception and solution generation
  • Group exercise: Reframing problems to inspire innovative thinking

Day 3: Techniques for Enhancing Creative Thinking

• Morning Session: Creative Thinking Strategies
  • Techniques for brainstorming and idea generation (e.g., mind mapping, lateral thinking)
  • Individual activity: Generating creative ideas for a specific problem
• Afternoon Session: Overcoming Barriers to Creativity
  • Identifying common obstacles to creative thinking and strategies to overcome them
  • Group discussion: Sharing personal experiences and strategies for fostering creativity

Day 4: Applying Critical Thinking Skills

• Morning Session: Evaluating Information and Arguments
  • Techniques for assessing the credibility of information and analyzing arguments
  • Workshop: Analyzing case studies to practice critical evaluation
• Afternoon Session: Making Informed Decisions
  • Decision-making models and frameworks (e.g., SWOT analysis, decision trees)
  • Group activity: Applying decision-making tools to real-world scenarios

Day 5: Integrating Creative and Critical Thinking

• Morning Session: Combining Skills for Effective Solutions
  • Strategies for integrating creative and critical thinking in problem-solving
  • Group exercise: Collaborative problem-solving session to develop actionable solutions
• Afternoon Session: Developing Your Action Plan
  • Creating a personal action plan to apply creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills in the workplace
  • Closing reflections and commitments to continuous improvement