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Elizabeth Reeves O'Connor

In today's business environment, organizations have identified critical thinking and problem-solving as skills that are integral to an employee's--and their organization's--success.

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In today's business environment, organizations have identified critical thinking and problem-solving as skills that are integral to an employee's--and their organization's--success.

The most successful professionals can assess the environment, analyze a situation, design a solution, and ultimately win in a competitive scenario.

This course, part of the Leadership Essentials Professional Certificate program, will demystify, discuss, and provide application techniques for critical thinking and problem-solving in a business context. Learners will draw connections to their work experience by analyzing and critiquing case studies. Best practices for problem-solving will be discussed and illustrated including how to weigh alternative solutions, incorporate feedback from stakeholders, and how and when to start over.

What you'll learn

  • How to perform strategic analysis and assessment
  • How to perceive and assess a critical need and design a tailored solution
  • How to identify key stakeholders and ensure their needs are met
  • How to employ adaptive problem-solving
  • How to work through obstacles collaboratively
  • How to analyze failure to improve future performance

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to perform strategic analysis and assessment
  • How to perceive and assess a critical need and design a tailored solution
  • How to identify key stakeholders and ensure their needs are met
  • How to employ adaptive problem-solving
  • How to work through obstacles collaboratively
  • How to analyze failure to improve future performance

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Covers skills that are integral to an employee's and their organization's success
Suitable for learners seeking to develop strategic analysis and assessment skills
Focuses on problem-solving skills in a business context, preparing learners for real-world decision-making
Teaches adaptive problem-solving techniques to help learners handle challenges and obstacles

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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 Critical Thinking & Problem Solving with these activities:
Review basic problem-solving techniques
Refreshing your knowledge of basic problem-solving techniques will provide a solid foundation for the more advanced concepts covered in this course.
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  • Review problem-solving models and frameworks
  • Practice applying these techniques to simple problems
Review 'Critical Thinking: A User's Manual' by Peter Facione
This book provides a foundation for critical thinking and problem solving, which are essential skills for success in this course.
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  • Read the book thoroughly and take notes
  • Summarize the key concepts of critical thinking and problem solving
  • Apply the concepts to real-world examples
Complete problem-solving exercises
Regular practice will help you develop your problem-solving skills and improve your ability to apply critical thinking to business scenarios.
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  • Identify the problem and define the goal
  • Analyze the situation and gather information
  • Generate and evaluate possible solutions
  • Implement a solution and monitor its effectiveness
Four other activities
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Join a study group or participate in online discussions
Working with peers will provide opportunities to share ideas and learn from others, enhance your understanding of course concepts, and improve your problem-solving abilities.
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  • Find a study group or online discussion forum
  • Participate actively in discussions
  • Share your insights and perspectives
  • Seek feedback from others
Attend a workshop on problem-solving or critical thinking
Workshops provide focused learning experiences and opportunities to engage with experts and practitioners in the field, which can enhance your understanding and application of critical thinking and problem-solving techniques.
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  • Research and identify relevant workshops
  • Register and attend the workshop
  • Participate actively and take notes
  • Apply what you learn to your work and personal life
Develop a problem-solving guide or toolkit
Creating a guide or toolkit will help you synthesize your understanding of problem-solving and provide a valuable resource for future reference and application.
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  • Identify the key elements and steps of problem-solving
  • Develop content that provides clear and concise guidance
  • Organize the content in a logical and user-friendly manner
  • Review and refine your guide or toolkit based on feedback
  • Share your guide or toolkit with others
Work on a real-world problem-solving project
Engaging in a real-world project will provide you with valuable hands-on experience in applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills to solve complex and meaningful challenges.
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  • Identify a problem that you are passionate about
  • Research the problem and gather information
  • Develop and implement a solution
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of your solution
  • Reflect on your experience and identify areas for improvement

Career center

Learners who complete Critical Thinking & Problem Solving will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Management Consultant
Management Consultants help organizations improve their performance by providing advice and guidance on a variety of business issues. They use analytical and problem-solving skills to assess an organization's current state, identify areas for improvement, and develop and implement solutions. This course would be beneficial for Management Consultants because it provides a strong foundation in critical thinking and problem-solving, which are essential skills for success in this role.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts work with stakeholders to identify business needs and develop solutions that meet those needs. They use analytical and problem-solving skills to assess the current state of a business, identify areas for improvement, and develop and implement solutions. This course would be helpful for Business Analysts because it provides a strong foundation in critical thinking and problem-solving, which are essential skills for success in this role.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts use data to identify trends, patterns, and insights that can help businesses make better decisions. They use analytical and problem-solving skills to collect, clean, and analyze data, and then develop and communicate insights to stakeholders. This course would be useful for Data Analysts because it provides a strong foundation in critical thinking and problem-solving, which are essential skills for success in this role.
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. They use analytical and problem-solving skills to identify customer needs, develop product specifications, and manage the product development process. This course would be useful for Product Managers because it provides a strong foundation in critical thinking and problem-solving, which are essential skills for success in this role.
Project Manager
Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They use analytical and problem-solving skills to develop project plans, manage project teams, and ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. This course would be helpful for Project Managers because it provides a strong foundation in critical thinking and problem-solving, which are essential skills for success in this role.
Market Research Analyst
Market Research Analysts study market trends and customer behavior to help businesses make better decisions. They use analytical and problem-solving skills to collect, analyze, and interpret data, and then develop and communicate insights to stakeholders. This course would be helpful for Market Research Analysts because it provides a strong foundation in critical thinking and problem-solving, which are essential skills for success in this role.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts use financial data to make investment decisions. They use analytical and problem-solving skills to analyze financial statements, develop financial models, and make investment recommendations. This course would be helpful for Financial Analysts because it provides a strong foundation in critical thinking and problem-solving, which are essential skills for success in this role.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns. They use analytical and problem-solving skills to identify target markets, develop marketing strategies, and track marketing performance. This course would be helpful for Marketing Managers because it provides a strong foundation in critical thinking and problem-solving, which are essential skills for success in this role.
Sales Manager
Sales Managers are responsible for leading and managing sales teams. They use analytical and problem-solving skills to develop sales strategies, manage sales teams, and track sales performance. This course would be helpful for Sales Managers because it provides a strong foundation in critical thinking and problem-solving, which are essential skills for success in this role.
Operations Manager
Operations Managers are responsible for planning and managing the operations of a business. They use analytical and problem-solving skills to develop operations strategies, manage operations teams, and ensure that operations are running smoothly. This course would be helpful for Operations Managers because it provides a strong foundation in critical thinking and problem-solving, which are essential skills for success in this role.
IT Manager
IT Managers are responsible for planning, implementing, and managing IT systems. They use analytical and problem-solving skills to develop IT strategies, manage IT teams, and ensure that IT systems are running smoothly. This course would be helpful for IT Managers because it provides a strong foundation in critical thinking and problem-solving, which are essential skills for success in this role.
Customer Success Manager
Customer Success Managers are responsible for ensuring that customers are successful with a company's products or services. They use analytical and problem-solving skills to identify customer needs, develop customer success strategies, and manage customer relationships. This course would be helpful for Customer Success Managers because it provides a strong foundation in critical thinking and problem-solving, which are essential skills for success in this role.
Supply Chain Manager
Supply Chain Managers are responsible for planning and managing the supply chain of a business. They use analytical and problem-solving skills to develop supply chain strategies, manage supply chain teams, and ensure that the supply chain is running smoothly. This course would be helpful for Supply Chain Managers because it provides a strong foundation in critical thinking and problem-solving, which are essential skills for success in this role.
HR Manager
HR Managers are responsible for managing the human resources of an organization. They use analytical and problem-solving skills to develop HR strategies, manage HR teams, and ensure that HR policies and procedures are followed. This course would be helpful for HR Managers because it provides a strong foundation in critical thinking and problem-solving, which are essential skills for success in this role.
Operations Research Analyst
Operations Research Analysts study operational processes to devise strategies for efficiency. They use mathematical and analytical models to improve performance, cut costs, and optimize output. This course may be useful to Operations Research Analysts because it teaches critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are essential for analyzing complex business processes and developing effective solutions.

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Critical Thinking & Problem Solving.
Provides a comprehensive overview of critical thinking skills, including analysis, argumentation, and problem-solving. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to improve their ability to think critically and solve problems effectively.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the cognitive processes involved in thinking and problem-solving. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to understand the science behind critical thinking and problem-solving.
Provides a practical guide to critical thinking skills. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their ability to think critically and make better decisions.
Provides a concise overview of critical thinking skills. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to improve their ability to think critically.
Provides a practical guide to problem-solving skills. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to improve their ability to solve problems in everyday life.
Provides a comprehensive overview of critical thinking skills. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to improve their ability to think critically and solve problems.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the psychology of problem-solving. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to understand the cognitive processes involved in problem-solving.

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