NSW Public Sector Grades 9-10 Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

Critical thinking and problem solving as a key priority in the NPS

- Review the current context and landscape for problem-solving in the NPS

- Why problem-solving has been identified as a top skilling priority across all levels of the NPS

- 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 in 2022 and beyond

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

- Whole-brain thinking; exploring creative thinking for generating new ideas and links, acting on intuition, imagining possibilities and connecting ideas through considering alternatives

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: Abstract questioning, brainstorming, role switching, visualisation, ideation and process re-mapping

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

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: 

- Problem identification, detection or framing

- Design of possible solutions, opportunities or courses of action

- Evaluation and selection of solution

- Consideration of risk, including feasibility, uncertainty/error 

- Decision on Implementation 

- Deployment of solution

- Monitoring, learning and evaluation 

Overcoming the roadblocks to critical thinking and problem solving

- Cognitive biases, ideological conflict and problems arising in groups

- Observation blind-spots and measurement errors

- The inherently challenging nature of ‘wicked problems’ 

- Cultivating your skills and maintaining your edge as a critical thinker