Problem Solving and Decision Making
Decision making is how we cope with our environment and live our life. From the decision to rise in the morning to the decision go to bed at night, we are constantly making decisions and frequently solving problems. Throughout each day we are confronted with a variety of problems and decisions that require a rational, thoughtful response.
Problem Solving and Decision Making presents a structure, process, and tools to help you solve problems and make decisions. This course is about proactively attacking problems and making timely decisions, that help you solve work problems and make decisions to bring value to your company and your customers. In addition, the skills, processes and tools taught in this course can bring value to other aspects of your life as well.
Participants will practice the six-step problem solving process by working on actual problems in class. The focus in class is on group decision making, but participants will be able to apply the same processes and tools to individual problems and decisions.
Course Objectives
- Upon completion, participant in this course will be able to:
- Identify one or more problems to solve
- Create a problem statement
- Conduct a root cause analysis of the problem
- Develop criteria to evaluate solution to the problem
- Generate a list of solutions
- Select the best solution
- Validate their solution
- Develop a plan to implement the solution
- Develop a plan to monitor and verify the solution
- Develop a communication plan
Key Topics
What is problem solving and decision making and why it is important
- Problem solving and decision making defined
- Evidence based decision making
- Non-evidence based decision making
- Groups vs. individual, the pros and cons
The Six-Step Problem Solving Process
- 1. Define and Analyze the Problem
- Create a problem statement
- Analyze and understand the problem
- Apply tools and techniques for problem identification and analysis
- 2. Determine the Cause(s) of the Problem
- Collect data to understand the problem
- Identify possible causes
- Analyze causes
- Select the root cause
- Apply tools and techniques to identify causes and determine the root cause
- 3. Generate Alternative Solutions
- How to develop a list of possible solutions
- Apply the tools and techniques for generating alternative solutions
- 4. Select the Solution - Make a Decision!
- Determine a decision making approach
- Develop criteria for selecting a solution
- Validate the solution
- Apply the tools and techniques for decision making
- 5. Implement the Solution
- Develop an action plan
- Implement the solution
- Marshal support for your solution
- 6. Monitor and Verify your Solution is Working
- Develop a process to monitor and measure your solution's effectiveness
- Verify the solution or decision is working
- Apply the PDSA cycle to your problem solving and decision making
- Apply tools and processes for monitoring and verifying
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
- Identify the stakeholders for your solution and decision
- Ensure that everyone is informed about your decision
- Engage in dialogue with your manager
Participants will practice the six-step problem solving process by working on actual problems in class. The focus in class is on group decision making, but participants will be able to apply the same processes and tools to individual problems and decisions.
By the end of the class participants will be able to:
- 1. Identify one or more problems to solve
- 2. Create a problem statement
- 3. Conduct a root cause analysis of the problem
- 4. Develope criteria to evaluate solution to the problem
- 5. Generate a list of solutions
- 6. Select the best solution
- 7. Validate your solution
- 8. Develop a plan to implement the solution
- 9. Develop a plan to monitor and verify the solution
- 10.Develop a communication plan
Instructors
PATRICK NEAL has a passion for helping people and organizations reduce costs, improve productivity, and shorten time-to-market by developing organizational and individual competence in project management. He has worked with more than 200 organizations including IBM, AT&T, Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Agilent Technologies, and PG&E. More than 10,000 project managers have attended his training classes.
Patrick was a member of the Hewlett-Packard Project Management Initiative which was credited by an industry study with developing the best high-technology approach to project management. He founded the Project Management Office at Agilent Technologies.
Patrick has a doctorate in Organizational Communication and is certified by the Project Management Institute as a Project Management Professional (PMP).
ERIC BLOOM has over 25 years of professional experience and is the author of the award winning book Manager Mechanics: Tips and Advice for First-Time Managers.
Prior to his role as president of Manager Mechanics, Eric has been the senior technology officer at various companies, controlled multi-million dollar budgets, managed off shore resources, and led teams spread across multiple locations. He has been a senior executive at The Boston Company Asset Management, Monster Worldwide, Independence Investments, and Fidelity Investments.
He has also been an adjunct faculty member at Bentley College and Boston University and is the author of several computer and management books. Eric holds bachelor degrees in Accounting and Computer Information Systems from Bentley University and has an MBA from Babson College. He lives in Massachusetts.
Onsite Delivery
Contact: info@effectivetraining.com
My Courses
Transitioning from Individual Contributor to Manager |
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|---|---|
| June 06 | |
Project Management: A Team Approach for Accountability & Results |
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| June 06 - 07 | |
Management Essentials |
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| July 24 - 25 | |
Influential Communication |
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| September 10 | |
Effective Presentation Skills |
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| September 12 | |
Interviewing and Hiring the Best Talent |
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| September 19 | |
Breakthrough Project Management |
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| October 08 - 09 | |
5 Habits of Intentional Leadership |
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| October 17 | |
Precision Questioning and Answering (PQ&A) |
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| November 05 | |
Transitioning from Individual Contributor to Manager |
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| December 10 | |
Managing Time and Multiple Priorities - Self-Paced |
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| January 01, 2014 | |
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