To begin, participants will explore just what problem solving and decision making means. We will also look at different types of decisions, the difference between facts and information, and common decision making traps.

This session will explore the four types of problem solvers. Then, participants will work in small groups to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and how to use that knowledge to become better problem solvers.

This hour long exercise will ask participants to imagine that they are in a crisis situation. It will give them a framework to solve the problem and make decisions.

During this session, participants will learn about a three-phase model that they can apply to most problems. They will also have an opportunity to apply the model to two situations.

Next, participants will learn about Edward DE Bono’s six thinking hats, and they will practice using the hats during a problem solving discussion.

This session will look at eleven basic problem solving tools and two advanced tools (the gradients of agreement and fishbone analysis). Then, participants will apply these tools to a case study in a large group discussion.

Participants will discuss ways to encourage creative thinking, including brainstorming and the random word method.

The afternoon of Day Two will be spent working on problems with the Peerless Data Corp. Participants will work in small groups to solve five different problems, and will be rewarded based on the quality of their decisions.

You will spend the first part of the day getting to know participants and discussing what will take place during the workshop. Students will also have an opportunity to identify their personal learning objectives.