Critical Thinking Worskshop 2 days Training Course

Module 1: The Critical Thinking Mindset

• The definition of critical thinking and its importance in a professional environment
• Distinguishing critical thinking from reactive behaviour, assumption-based reasoning, and reliance on intuition
• Common obstacles to clear and logical thinking
• The influence of time constraints, past experience, and organisational culture on decision-making
• An introduction to a structured process for critical thinking
• Key steps: observation, interpretation, analysis, exploration, and evaluation
• Shifting focus from seeking immediate answers to formulating better questions

Practical Exercise: Examine a recent workplace decision and identify the thought processes that led to the final result.

Module 2: Defining the Right Problem

• Distinguishing between surface-level symptoms and underlying issues
• Understanding why organisations frequently address the wrong problem
• The art of problem framing and asking more insightful questions
• Identifying hidden assumptions within problem descriptions
• Utilising the 5 Whys technique
• Conducting root cause analysis
• Considering alternative explanations for observed issues

Practical Exercise: Apply problem-framing and root cause analysis methods to an actual or simulated workplace issue.

Module 3: Evaluating Information, Evidence and Assumptions

• Differentiating between facts, opinions, and assumptions
• The difference between interpretation and hard evidence
• Detecting missing or incomplete data
• Assessing the credibility and relevance of available information
• Recognising the difference between strong and weak evidence
• Identifying hidden assumptions
• Distinguishing correlation from causation
• Avoiding premature conclusions based on incomplete information

Practical Exercise: Assess a business scenario containing facts, opinions, assumptions, and incomplete evidence, and determine what additional information is needed before making a decision.

Module 4: Cognitive Biases and Thinking Traps

• How cognitive biases affect judgement and decision-making
• Confirmation bias
• Anchoring bias
• Authority bias
• Availability bias
• Escalation of commitment
• Groupthink
• Identifying logical fallacies in workplace discussions
• Ad hominem attacks
• Straw man arguments
• Slippery slope reasoning
• False dilemmas
• Techniques for challenging one’s own thought processes

Practical Exercise: Identify biases, assumptions, and logical fallacies within a series of workplace scenarios and decision-making discussions.

Module 5: Analysing a Business Challenge

• Applying the critical thinking process to complex problems
• Clarifying the core issue before proposing solutions
• Identifying both available and missing evidence
• Questioning initial assumptions
• Considering alternative interpretations of data
• Separating relevant information from distractions
• Developing an analysis based on evidence

Practical Exercise: Small groups analyse a business case relevant to the client's industry and present their findings and reasoning.

Module 6: Challenging Perspectives and Exploring Alternatives

• The benefits of considering alternative viewpoints for improving decision quality
• Asking: "What if we are wrong?"
• Identifying different explanations for outcomes
• Devil’s Advocate techniques
• Red Team thinking strategies
• Practising constructive disagreement
• Challenging preferred or default solutions
• Using pre-mortems to identify potential points of failure

Practical Exercise: Participants critique a proposed business decision by identifying assumptions, risks, missing evidence, and alternative approaches.

Module 7: Creative Thinking for Better Problem Solving

• The connection between critical thinking and creative thinking
• Divergent and convergent thinking styles
• Moving beyond the first or most obvious solution
• Brainstorming and brainwriting techniques
• Generating multiple alternative options
• Using SCAMPER to explore new approaches
• Objectively evaluating creative ideas

Practical Exercise: Generate and develop multiple solutions to a workplace challenge before selecting the most appropriate options.

Module 8: Structured Decision Making

• Transitioning from analysis to action
• Setting clear decision criteria
• Objectively comparing alternatives
• Conducting cost-benefit analyses
• Evaluating risks and trade-offs
• Understanding the impact on stakeholders
• Utilising decision matrices
• Identifying potential unintended consequences
• Making decisions in the face of uncertainty

Practical Exercise: Evaluate several possible solutions using agreed-upon decision criteria and present a justified recommendation.

Module 9: Critical Thinking in Leadership and Teams

• The role of critical thinking in effective leadership
• Reasons why teams sometimes make poor decisions
• The impact of hierarchy, authority, and groupthink
• Encouraging constructive challenge within teams
• Creating an environment where questioning assumptions is welcomed
• Asking better questions during meetings
• Distinguishing between disagreement and conflict
• Facilitating evidence-based discussions
• Communicating recommendations clearly and persuasively

Practical Exercise: Participate in a structured team decision-making exercise involving competing priorities, incomplete information, and different stakeholder perspectives.

Module 10: Final Business Simulation and Action Planning

• Applying the complete critical thinking process
• Defining the core problem
• Analysing evidence and assumptions
• Identifying biases and thinking traps
• Exploring alternative perspectives and solutions
• Establishing decision criteria
• Assessing risks and consequences
• Developing and presenting an evidence-based recommendation

Practical Exercise: Participants work in teams on a comprehensive business scenario or, where appropriate, one of the client's real workplace challenges.