Critical Thinking Worskshop 2 days Training Course

Module 1: Cultivating a Critical Thinking Mindset

• Defining critical thinking and understanding its value in a professional environment
• Distinguishing critical thought from reactive behaviour, assumption-based thinking, and intuition
• Identifying common obstacles to clear reasoning
• Examining how time constraints, past experiences, and organisational culture shape decision-making
• Introduction to a structured framework for critical thinking
• Covering key stages: observation, interpretation, analysis, exploration, and evaluation
• Shifting focus from seeking immediate answers to formulating better questions

Practical Exercise: Review a recent professional decision to trace the cognitive process that led to the final result.

Module 2: Defining the Correct Problem

• Differentiating between surface-level symptoms and underlying issues
• Understanding why organisations frequently address the wrong problem
• Techniques for problem framing and asking more effective questions
• Recognising assumptions embedded within problem statements
• Applying the 5 Whys technique
• Conducting root cause analysis
• Investigating alternative explanations

Practical Exercise: Utilise problem-framing and root cause analysis methods on an actual or simulated professional challenge.

Module 3: Assessing Information, Evidence, and Assumptions

• Distinguishing facts from opinions and assumptions
• Differentiating interpretation from verifiable evidence
• Spotting missing or incomplete data
• Evaluating the credibility and relevance of information sources
• Assessing the strength versus weakness of evidence
• Identifying hidden assumptions
• Understanding the difference between correlation and causation
• Avoiding premature conclusions based on partial information

Practical Exercise: Analyse a business scenario containing a mix of facts, opinions, assumptions, and incomplete evidence to determine what further data is needed for decision-making.

Module 4: Cognitive Biases and Thinking Traps

• Understanding how cognitive biases impact judgement and choices
• Recognition of confirmation bias
• Understanding anchoring bias
• Recognising authority bias
• Understanding availability bias
• Identifying escalation of commitment
• Recognising groupthink
• Detecting logical fallacies in professional discussions
• Identifying ad hominem attacks
• Recognising straw man arguments
• Understanding slippery slope fallacies
• Identifying false dilemmas
• Self-auditing one’s own thought processes

Practical Exercise: Detect biases, assumptions, and logical fallacies within various professional scenarios and decision-making discussions.

Module 5: Analysing a Business Challenge

• Applying critical thinking frameworks to complex issues
• Clarifying the core problem before suggesting solutions
• Identifying existing and missing evidence
• Questioning initial assumptions
• Considering different interpretations of the situation
• Filtering relevant information from distractions
• Building an evidence-based problem analysis

Practical Exercise: Small groups analyse a business case relevant to the client's sector and present their findings and rationale.

Module 6: Challenging Perspectives and Exploring Alternatives

• The impact of considering multiple perspectives on decision quality
• Questioning validity: "What if we are wrong?"
• Identifying alternative explanations for outcomes
• Applying Devil's Advocate techniques
• Using Red Team thinking
• Fostering constructive disagreement
• Questioning preferred solutions
• Using pre-mortems to anticipate potential failure points

Practical Exercise: Critically evaluate a proposed business decision by identifying assumptions, risks, missing evidence, and alternative approaches.

Module 7: Creative Thinking for Effective Problem Solving

• The synergy between critical and creative thinking
• Balancing divergent and convergent thinking
• Moving beyond the first or most obvious solution
• Techniques for brainstorming and brainwriting
• Generating a wide range of alternatives
• Using the SCAMPER method to explore new approaches
• Objectively evaluating creative ideas

Practical Exercise: Develop and refine multiple solutions to a professional challenge before selecting the most viable options.

Module 8: Structured Decision Making

• Transitioning from analysis to action
• Establishing clear decision criteria
• Objectively comparing alternatives
• Conducting cost-benefit analysis
• Assessing risks and trade-offs
• Understanding stakeholder impact
• Utilising decision matrices
• Identifying potential unintended consequences
• Decision-making under conditions of uncertainty

Practical Exercise: Evaluate multiple potential solutions using agreed-upon decision criteria and present a justified recommendation.

Module 9: Critical Thinking in Leadership and Teams

• The role of critical thinking in effective leadership
• Reasons why teams may make suboptimal decisions
• The effects of hierarchy, authority, and groupthink
• Encouraging constructive challenge within teams
• Creating an environment where questioning assumptions is welcomed
• Improving question-asking skills in meetings
• Distinguishing between disagreement and conflict
• Facilitating evidence-based discussions
• Communicating recommendations with clarity and persuasion

Practical Exercise: Engage in a structured team decision-making exercise featuring competing priorities, incomplete information, and diverse stakeholder perspectives.

Module 10: Final Business Simulation and Action Planning

• Applying the comprehensive critical thinking process
• Defining the core problem
• Analyzing evidence and assumptions
• Identifying biases and thinking traps
• Exploring alternative perspectives and solutions
• Establishing decision criteria
• Assessing risks and consequences
• Formulating and presenting an evidence-based recommendation

Practical Exercise: Teams collaborate on a comprehensive business scenario, or, where appropriate, address one of the client's actual workplace challenges.