Soft Skills: Solve Problems w/ Creative & Critical Thinking from edX

This short, self-paced course was created to teach you how to effectively solve and analyze problems with critical and creative thinking. This course will equip you with invaluable skills that you will have to use in your day-to-day work, especially in office or business-related jobs.

Critical and creative thinking are important because when you encounter a problem you need to be able to both think of different ways to solve the problem, as well as have the ability to recognize and choose the best solution possible. There are certain steps you must take before finding a solution; the most important being analyzing the problem. By taking this course you will learn a specifically designed five step method that will help you find the root cause of a problem. By learning the process you must go through to find the problem, you will also get one step closer to finding a solution.

This short course is suitable to be taken by everyone – students, career starters, even experienced professionals and managers that want a skill refresher. By taking this course you will gain the fundamental skills needed in order to successfully solve any problem and the confidence to achieve professional success.

This course is part of the People and Power Skills Professional Certificate from IBM, that consists of a series of short courses to help you develop essential soft skills for success in the workplace.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Apply critical and creative thinking to solve problems
Utilize the 5-step process in order to find the root cause of a problem

Analyze a problem and identify all possible solutions
Identify the best solution to implement when solving a problem in the workplace

Apply critical and creative thinking to solve problems
Utilize the 5-step process in order to find the root cause of a problem
Analyze a problem and identify all possible solutions
Identify the best solution to implement when solving a problem in the workplace

Syllabus

The course is composed of the following lessons:

- Solve Problems with Creative and Critical Thinking: An Overview

- About the course

- Topic 1: What’s the problem?

- Topic 2: What’s really going on?

- Topic 3: What are my options?

- Topic 4: What is the best solution?

- Topic 5: What will success look like?

- Course-end Assessment

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines critical thinking, which is an essential skill for problem-solving

Develops creative thinking skills, which can help students approach problems from different perspectives

Teaches a 5-step process for problem-solving, which can help students break down and analyze problems effectively

Provides a step-by-step approach to problem-solving, which can be helpful for students who struggle with this skill

Suitable for students, career starters, and experienced professionals, indicating a broad target audience

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Soft Skills: Solve Problems w/ Creative & Critical Thinking with these activities:

Organize Course Notes and Materials

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Strengthens retention and understanding by organizing and reviewing course content effectively.

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Gather lecture notes, slides, and any additional materials.
Summarize key points and insights.
Create a comprehensive study guide or outline.

Explore Case Studies on Critical Thinking in Problem-Solving

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Provides real-world examples of critical thinking in problem-solving, enhancing practical understanding and application.

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Search for case studies online or in libraries.
Analyze the problem-solving approach used in each case.
Identify the key critical thinking skills employed.

Review Book: Creative Problem Solving with Critical Thinking

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Provides a foundation in creative problem-solving techniques, enhancing your critical thinking skills for real-world problem analysis.

View The Mind Map Book on Amazon

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Read the introduction and chapter 1.
Take notes on the key concepts and strategies.
Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.

Five other activities

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Create a Mind Map of Problem-Solving Process

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Improves visual understanding and retention of the five-step problem-solving process outlined in the course.

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Identify the main topic: Problem-Solving Process
Brainstorm ideas and concepts related to each step.
Organize ideas into a visual hierarchy.

Participate in Discussion Forums

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Encourages active engagement with peers and instructors, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving discussions.

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Join the discussion forums.
Pose questions and share insights on course topics.
Provide thoughtful responses to peers' discussions.

Practice Applying the 5-Step Problem-Solving Process

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Reinforces the problem-solving approach by providing opportunities to apply it to real-life scenarios.

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Identify a problem you've encountered.
Apply the 5-step process to analyze and solve it.
Reflect on the effectiveness of your solution.

Volunteer in a Problem-Solving Organization

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Applies problem-solving skills in a practical setting, fostering empathy and community involvement.

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Research problem-solving organizations in your area.
Apply for a volunteer position.
Participate in problem-solving initiatives and support their mission.

Develop a Problem-Solving Portfolio

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Provides a tangible way to showcase problem-solving skills and demonstrate critical thinking abilities.

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Identify and document solved problems.
Include a brief analysis and reflection for each problem.
Present the portfolio as a showcase of your problem-solving journey.

Career center

Learners who complete Soft Skills: Solve Problems w/ Creative & Critical Thinking will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Community Manager

Community Managers maximize brand reach for their employers. They build and manage relationships with customers and execute community outreach initiatives. This course can help them solve business problems, such as an event not meeting goals. The lessons on finding a root cause can help in that problem-solving process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Manager

Content Writer

Content Writers have an important responsibility to create engaging and informative content that attracts and retains audiences. The course will help these writers think critically about their work and improve it through creative problem-solving. They may work with marketers or SEO professionals and this course can help them collaborate to better align content with marketing goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Writer

Consultant

Consultants help businesses achieve their goals by providing expert advice and solutions. They may work in a variety of industries, including management, technology, and finance. This course can help them with their problem-solving responsibilities. In particular, the lessons on critical thinking and root cause analysis can help them better serve clients.

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Customer Success Manager

Customer Success Managers ensure that customers get the most value out of their products or services. They may work with customers to identify and solve problems. This course can help Customer Success Managers improve their problem-solving skills, particularly in the area of root cause analysis.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make informed decisions. They may work in a variety of industries and may use different tools and technologies. This course can help them develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the context of data analysis.

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Engineer

Engineers design, build, and maintain a wide range of products and systems. They may work in a variety of industries, including technology, manufacturing, and construction. This course can help Engineers develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in this field.

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Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses. They may work in a variety of industries and may face a variety of challenges. This course can help Entrepreneurs develop the problem-solving skills they need to succeed. The course's lessons on creative thinking can be particularly helpful.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts evaluate and make recommendations on investments. They may work for a variety of organizations, including banks, investment firms, and corporations. This course can help them develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in this field.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers plan, direct, and coordinate the administrative functions of an organization. They may work in a variety of industries and may oversee a variety of responsibilities. This course can help them develop the problem-solving skills they need to succeed in this field.

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Graphic designer

Graphic Designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. This course can help them develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need to succeed in this field. The lessons on creative thinking can be particularly helpful.

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Marketer

Marketers develop and execute marketing campaigns to promote products or services. They may work in a variety of industries and may use a variety of tools and technologies. This course can help them develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need to succeed in this field. The lessons on creative thinking can be particularly helpful.

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Journalist

Journalists research, write, and edit news stories for newspapers, magazines, and websites. They may work in a variety of settings, including print, broadcast, and online. This course can help them develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need to succeed in this field.

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Product Manager

Product Managers plan and oversee the development and launch of new products. They may work in a variety of industries and may oversee a variety of responsibilities. This course can help them develop the problem-solving skills they need to succeed in this field.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers plan, direct, and coordinate the sales activities of an organization. They may work in a variety of industries and may oversee a variety of sales teams. This course can help them develop the problem-solving skills they need to succeed in this field.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. They may work in a variety of industries and may oversee a variety of projects. This course can help them develop the problem-solving skills they need to succeed in this field.

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