Centre 4 Learning : Communications Courses


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Problem solving
1 or 2 days

This programme is designed to run as a two-day course, with a group size of 12-15 participants. It can also be run as a one-day workshop. The minimum number of participants is 6.

Programme outline
This programme explores a range of tools and techniques for tackling problems of different kinds and helps you transform the way you look at problems. Most problems at work are complicated. 'One-right-answer' problems are rare. More common are “wicked” problems (which have more than one cause, or no cause at all), and “vicious” problems (where the solution causes a problem for somebody else). Any useful approach to problem solving must include an awareness of how to work with other people.
The key to effective problem solving is the ability to see the problem as richly as possible. This programme works on a fundamental distinction between presented problems (which happen to us) and constructed problems (which we create).
Participants will learn to:

Think about problems differently
Use a range of techniques to analyse problems at work
Generate practical solutions

Who should attend?
Managers, supervisors, project leaders and anybody whose work includes problem-solving of any kind.

Pre-course
This programme is designed to address real issues and develop solutions that participants can take back into the workplace. Participants are invited, if possible, to give some thought to any problems, issues, challenges, or opportunities currently facing them at work. These might be in the areas of:

Service development
New applications for existing services
Improving services to existing clients
Systems enhancements
Identifying opportunities for new working arrangements
Cross-functional working
Seeking new and more efficient working practices
Quality issues
Problem solving

Programme content

Introduction and objectives

Objectives for the course
Identifying problems we want to address during the course

What is a problem?

Defining problems
Owning problems
Categorising problems
Transforming problems

Two kinds of thinking

The two stages of thinking
Thinking styles at each stage

A framework for solving problems

Presented and constructed problems
Well and ill-constructed problems

Problem-solving in teams

Identifying the stakeholders
Behaviours that stimulate good thinking

Solving presented problems

Defining the problem
Analysing the problem: tools and techniques
Designing a solution

Solving constructed problems

Goal orientation
Idea generation: tools and techniques
Solution development
Evaluating the solution: impact and implications

Developing solutions

Building feasibility
Evaluating the solution: impact and implications
Identifying first steps

Action session
Participants identify actions they will take as a result of attending this programme.

Tel: +44 (0)208 385 7511
Email: shyrose@centre4learning.co.uk