Critical Thinking Worskshop 2 days Training Course

Module 1: Cultivating a Critical Thinking Mindset

• Understanding what critical thinking entails and its significance in the professional environment
• Distinguishing critical thinking from mere reactivity, assumption-based thinking, and reliance on intuition
• Identifying common obstacles to clear and logical thinking
• Examining how time constraints, past experiences, and organisational culture shape decision-making
• Overview of a systematic critical thinking framework
• Key stages: Observation, Interpretation, Analysis, Exploration, and Evaluation
• Shifting focus from seeking immediate answers to asking more insightful questions

Practical Exercise: Review a recent workplace decision and trace the thought process that led to the final outcome.

Module 2: Accurately Defining the Problem

• Distinguishing between surface-level symptoms and underlying root causes
• Understanding why organisations frequently end up solving the wrong problem
• Techniques for framing problems effectively and asking better questions
• Identifying hidden assumptions within problem statements
• Applying the 5 Whys technique
• Conducting root cause analysis
• Investigating alternative explanations for observed issues

Practical Exercise: Utilise problem-framing and root cause analysis techniques to address a real or simulated workplace challenge.

Module 3: Assessing Information, Evidence, and Assumptions

• Differentiating between facts, opinions, and assumptions
• Distinguishing between interpretation and factual evidence
• Identifying gaps or incomplete information in data sets
• Evaluating the credibility and relevance of available information
• Recognising the difference between strong and weak evidence
• Spotting unspoken or hidden assumptions
• Understanding the distinction between correlation and causation
• Avoiding premature conclusions based on insufficient data

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

Module 4: Navigating Cognitive Biases and Thinking Traps

• How cognitive biases affect judgement and decision-making processes
• Confirmation bias
• Anchoring bias
• Authority bias
• Availability bias
• Escalation of commitment
• Groupthink
• Recognising logical fallacies during workplace discussions
• Ad hominem arguments
• 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 Complex Business Challenges

• Applying the critical thinking process to intricate problems
• Clarifying the core issue before proposing solutions
• Identifying both available and missing evidence
• Challenging initial assumptions
• Considering alternative interpretations of the data
• Filtering out irrelevant information and distractions
• Developing a robust, evidence-based problem analysis

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

Module 6: Challenging Perspectives and Exploring Alternatives

• Why considering different perspectives enhances decision quality
• Practising the question: “What if we are wrong?”
• Identifying alternative explanations for events or outcomes
• Using Devil’s Advocate techniques
• Applying Red Team thinking strategies
• Engaging in constructive disagreement
• Challenging preferred or obvious solutions
• Using pre-mortems to identify potential failure points

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

Module 7: Creative Thinking for Enhanced Problem Solving

• The connection between critical and creative thinking
• Understanding divergent and convergent thinking
• Moving beyond the first or most obvious solution
• Brainstorming and brainwriting techniques
• Generating multiple viable alternatives
• Using the SCAMPER method to explore new approaches
• Evaluating creative ideas objectively

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

Module 8: Structured Decision Making

• Transitioning from analysis to actionable steps
• Establishing clear criteria for decision-making
• Objectively comparing alternatives
• Conducting cost-benefit analysis
• Assessing risks and trade-offs
• Understanding the impact on stakeholders
• Utilising decision matrices
• Identifying potential unintended consequences
• Making informed decisions in conditions 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 Team Dynamics

• The role of critical thinking in effective leadership
• 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 safe and encouraged
• Asking better questions during meetings
• Distinguishing between healthy disagreement and conflict
• Facilitating discussions based on evidence
• Communicating recommendations clearly and convincingly

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

Module 10: Final Business Simulation and Action Planning

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

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