Introduction:

Managers are constantly confronted with solving complex problems and making critical decisions. If not handled properly, these problems can have severe negative effects on operations and profitability. This course equips managers with the right tools and techniques to ensure they will be finding proper and permanent solutions to problems and making optimum decisions. Participants will learn how to develop the right mindset for solving problems, and enable them to understand, analyze and appreciate the different types of problems, conduct in-depth root cause analysis and make the right decisions for permanent solutions.

Participants will also discover that some problems cannot be solved using rational problem solving methods but need different, more creative approaches. In this course we will enhance the participants' idea generating proficiency and we will enable them to lead a creative team. Finally, and after a solution is formulated and a decision is made, participants will learn how to "sell' their solution to stakeholders and get buy in. On this course, participants will discover how to influence others and get support for what has been decided.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course, delegates will be able to:

• Demonstrate the use of several disciplines in decision making
• Explain the structured model for systematically addressing problems and decisions
• Practice the use of key tools and techniques for analyzing and solving problems
• Conduct a comprehensive root cause analysis of any problem
• Identify various creative idea generating tools which can be practically applied at the workplace
• Apply influencing techniques to enable better decision making and implementation

Who Should Attend?

Managers, Executives, Managers, Team Leaders, Superintendents, Chief Engineers, Senior Engineers, Newly Qualified Engineers, Plant Managers, Project Managers, Quality Managers, Technical Managers, Supervisors, Financial Officers and Controllers, Process Managers, Strategic Planning Managers, Key Personnel, Champions, Officers, Supervisors, Department Heads, Engineers, Foremen, anyone in managerial and administrative positions, Engineering Professionals, Project and Design Engineers, Technical Operational Staff, Technical Sales Staff, Research and Development Professionals, Technical Personnel, Maintenance and Supervisory Managers, Maintenance Planning Staff, Technical Managers, Project team members

Course Outline:

Structured Problem Solving

• Definitions, principles and overview
• Direct relationship between problem solving and decision making
• Types of problem solving
• Problem solving mindsets and attitudes
• Developing the questioning mindset with team members
• Problem ownership
• Drilling down complex problems into progressively smaller parts
• The 6 step problem solving method
• Classifying and prioritizing problems

Understanding and Analysing Problems

• Techniques for recognizing problems
• Appreciating the magnitude of problems facing us
• Isolating causes from symptoms
• Data collection and analysis
• Pareto analysis
• 'SWOT' analysis

Root Cause Analysis

• When is it necessary to undergo a wide scale root cause analysis?
• Root cause analysis: the interrelation
• Root cause analysis: the process
• Cause and effect analysis: key points of the process
• Three types of corrective actions

Decision Making

• Everyday decision making techniques
• Principles of decision making
• Components of optimum decision making
• Using critical thinking as an aid to decisions
• Different tools for decision making
• Subjective versus objective decision making
• The uncertainty problem

Creativity and Problem Solving

• Intelligence versus creativity
• The role of creativity in problem solving
• Mental blockers of creativity
• Brainstorming: different techniques
• Opposite thinking and 'what if'
• Mind mapping

Problem Solving and People

• Leading the problem solving effort
• Solving people related problems
• Removing the 'groupthink' effect from the team
• Team problem solving: ensuring participation, agreement, and implementation of solution
• Behaviors that influence or block problem solving
• Convincing stakeholders with your solutions

COURSE LOCATIONS