Effective Problem Solving & Decision Making in the Public Sector

Course Overview:

Why do some people find problem-solving an exciting challenge, whereas others find it stressful? How do some managers make quick and productive decisions while others put off crucial decisions until the last minute? Which of the two statements best describes your attitude to problem-solving and decision-making? The answer to the first two questions is that the first group of people work through a tried and tested methodology in order to improve their effectiveness and efficiency in finding solutions and route maps to get things done.

These skills can be learned and this program investigates in detail how you can be a proactive team player in both problem-solving and decision making. This highly interactive and fun course takes a step-by-step journey through the pathways of moving your organization from identifying the route of the problem, creating solutions and turning them into workable decisions.

Course Objectives:

At the end of this course, the participants will be able to:

Select and apply pragmatic methods for effective problem-solving and decision making
Appreciate how values, bias and personality can impact the solutions we create
Utilize a structured approach to generate productive solutions
Assess personal and organizational creativity and set an agenda for progression
Explore and apply various problem-solving technique that generates creative solutions
Develop the decisive skills that define competent and credible leadership

Course Coverage:

Topic 1: The Psychology of Problem Solving and Decision Making:

A Synopsis of psychological thought
Values, Problem-Solving and Decision Making
Psychological type and Lateral Thinking for Problem Solving
What psychological type reveals about me and my preferences
Using a team approach to encourage lateral thinking: ZIGZAG model
Individual or group decision making: case studies

Topic 2: Developing Decision-Making Skills:

Using your left brain & right brain to make decisions
Split-brain theory for developing effective problem-solving skills
Developing openness to new ideas in making decisions
Promoting idea mobility in teams
Understanding the creative solving process in individuals and teams
IDEAL problem-solving approach

Topic 3: Applying Effective Decision-Making Skills in the Workplace:

Encouraging creative problem-solving for continuous improvement
Removing blocks to creative problem solving
Convergent versus Divergent Thinking
Divergent Thinking Skills for solving problems
Using SCAMPER techniques to approach problem-solving
Applying SCAMPER techniques to make effective decisions

Topic 4: Making Mental Blocks to Decision-Making Outdated:

Challenging self-imposed assumptions
Thinking outside the box
Increasing new ideas
Getting people behind your
Evaluating new ideas
Creative leadership during problem-solving and decision-making sessions

Topic 5: Effective Leadership and the Dynamic Problem-Solving Team:

Ensuring alignment with the corporate mission
Encouraging self-initiated activity
Endorsing Unofficial activity
Enhancing Serendipity
Importance of appreciating diverse stimuli
Practising within-company communication for problem-solving
Developing a personal action plan

Targeted Groups:

Managers, Supervisors, and Team Leaders
Head of Sections
Also, this course is suitable for all the employees in all departments and levels