Problem Solving and Decision Making

Course Number: 012-GO
Recommended Duration: 1 Day

Intended Audience
Employees needing to demonstrate effective analytical skills, problem solving, and decision making approaches to resolve work related issues

Course Overview
This course presents proven problem solving and decision making processes for participants to learn and experience in an interactive workshop setting. Participants are encouraged to bring live workplace issues and problems which need to be solved. This program supports continuous improvement efforts.

Objectives
As a result of taking this course, you will learn to:

Apply a problem solving tool to analyze the real problem, identify how to solve it and complete an action plan for implementation
Apply effective brainstorming techniques to identify potential solutions
Utilize appropriate decision making processes to prioritize critical issues and possible solutions
Develop meaningful and realistic action plans for implementation of selected solutions

Prerequisites: None

Topics

Problem Identification
- Ways to effectively define the problem and related issues
- Application of a group brainstorming process
- Use of brainstorming to identify problems and potential solutions
Data Gathering
- Identifying appropriate data sources
- Deciding on data collection methods
- Use of surveys, interviews, focus groups, data bases, and internet
- Balancing data needs and resource constraints
- Conducting a root cause analysis to identify the true problem
- Effective questioning and probing techniques
Data Analysis
- How to analyze and sort the data
- Utilizing analysis tools
Decision Making
- Determining how the problem can be solved
- Tools and their usage
- Developing action plans to implement a course of action to solve the problem
Reporting on Findings
- How to structure written findings reports
- Effective oral presentations – individual and group
Individual Action Planning: identify ways to best use this process and tool in the workplace

Problem Solving and Decision Making

Problem Identification

Ways to effectively define the problem and related issues

Application of a group brainstorming process

Use of brainstorming to identify problems and potential solutions

Data Gathering

Identifying appropriate data sources

Deciding on data collection methods

Use of surveys, interviews, focus groups, data bases, and internet

Balancing data needs and resource constraints

Conducting a root cause analysis to identify the true problem

Effective questioning and probing techniques

Data Analysis

How to analyze and sort the data

Utilizing analysis tools

Decision Making

Determining how the problem can be solved

Tools and their usage

Developing action plans to implement a course of action to solve the problem

Reporting on Findings

How to structure written findings reports

Effective oral presentations – individual and group

Individual Action Planning: identify ways to best use this process and tool in the workplace