Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Workshop
19th - 20th, March 2024 / Sydney, AU
Overview
• Apply practical outcome-driven models for critical thinking and problem solving
• Expand your perspective and deepen your understanding of issues and problems impacting your work
• Understand team dynamics in problem solving and how to work with others in the process
• Overcome common roadblocks to critical thinking and problem solving
Speakers
Alexandra O’Mara
Alex is the Director of Sustainable Solutions Advisory Pty Ltd, with expertise in strategy, policy, sustainability, and leadership. She serves as the Senior ESG Advisor at BDO, Chief Advisor at the Urban Transformation Centre of Western Sydney University, and a Non-Executive Director at St George Community Housing and Place Management NSW. She holds a Master's in Administrative Law and Policy from the University of Sydney, and previously held Senior Executive Roles in the NSW Government, including 5 years as a Deputy Secretary, leading significant policy and legislative reform across a range of areas including environment and sustainability, infrastructure, planning and design, building and construction, renewable energy and natural resource management.
Director
Sustainable Solutions Advisory
Agenda
Workshop
Critical thinking and problem solving as a key priority
- Review the current context and landscape for problem-solving
- How critical thinking provides the necessary lens to frame problems rationally and produce evidence-based solutions
- How problem-solving ability could drive your career advancement
Unpacking critical thinking techniques
- The cognitive principles, tools and strategies essential to critical thinking
- Reviewing critical thinking tools and taking stock of our own limitations and strengths
- How to think like a scientist - Learning how to objectively collect and evaluate evidence
Problem-solving methods and key tools
- Reviewing common types of problems
- Root cause analysis - getting to the heart of the problem
- Explore how Systems Thinking is applied to provide clarity around root causes, interdependencies, possible constraints and outcomes
- Creating a process map or mind map to provide clarity around the problem
- Creative problem-solving techniques and activities
Working with others on problem-solving
- Facilitating a shared understanding of issues and problems
- Learn to prepare and present powerful evidence-based arguments and solutions
- Resolving conflict and challenges in group problem solving
- Cognitive biases, ideological conflict and problems arising in groups
-
Alexandra O’Mara Director Sustainable Solutions Advisory
Workshop
Definition: Understanding the problem
- Agreeing on the reality of the problem: Definition of key variables: known causal factors, structure, scope, stakeholder impact, interdependencies and constraints
- Evaluating problem impacts
- Consider solution criteria and problem-solving deliverables
Analysis: Identifying and evaluating possible solutions
- Evaluate solutions based on feasibility, impact and risk
- How to approach complex or ‘wicked problems’ (problems resistant to conventional resolution) - Review tools, priorities and resources available (including expertise)
Implementation: The problem-solving process in action
- Approaching the problem-solving process as a system, applying a critical thinking lens at all stages, consider:
- Analysis of variables, root-cause analysis and interdependencies
- Design of possible solutions, opportunities or courses of action
- Selection and deployment of solution
- Decision on Implementation
- Monitoring, learning and evaluation
Cultivating your skills and maintaining your edge as a critical thinker
- Wrap up discussion on key themes
- What will you do differently as a result of this program?
- Develop your action plan to implement on your return to work
-
Alexandra O’Mara Director Sustainable Solutions Advisory
Group Discounts
Pricing
Rapid Action
DISCOUNT ENDED
SAVE UP TO$1000
Value Plus
DISCOUNT ENDED
SAVE UP TO$750
Early Bird
Ends February 09
SAVE UP TO$300
Venue
Cliftons Sydney
Level 13, 60 Margaret St, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia
+61 2 9250 0999
