Problem Solving and Decision Making: Creative Thinking

Generating novel and valuable ideas to solve problems
Key characteristics:
- Flexibility: ability to adapt and adjust ideas
- Fluency: ability to generate many ideas
- Originality: ability to produce unique ideas
- Elaboration: ability to develop and build upon ideas
Techniques:
- Brainstorming: generating as many ideas as possible without judgment
- Mind mapping: visualizing ideas and connections
- Reverse brainstorming: identifying opposite or reverse ideas

Objectively analyzing information and making informed decisions
Key skills:
- Identifying biases and assumptions
- Evaluating evidence and arguments
- Considering multiple perspectives
- Avoiding emotional reasoning
Steps:
1. Identify the issue or problem
2. Gather and evaluate information
3. Analyze and identify patterns
4. Draw conclusions and make a decision
5. Evaluate and revise the decision

Using logical arguments and evidence to support decisions
Types of reasoning:
- Deductive: using general rules to reach specific conclusions
- Inductive: using specific examples to reach general conclusions
- Abductive: using incomplete information to make an educated guess
Fallacies to avoid:
- Ad hominem: attacking the person rather than the argument
- False dichotomy: presenting only two options when there are more
- Slippery slope: assuming a series of events will occur without evidence

Evaluating potential risks and consequences of a decision
Steps:
1. Identify potential risks and hazards
2. Assess the likelihood and impact of each risk
3. Evaluate and prioritize risks
4. Develop strategies to mitigate or manage risks
5. Monitor and review the outcome
Types of risk:
- Hazard risk: potential harm or injury
- Operational risk: risk of disruption to operations
- Financial risk: risk of financial loss or instability

Creative thinking is the ability to generate novel and valuable ideas to solve problems
Key characteristics of creative thinking include flexibility, fluency, originality, and elaboration
Flexibility allows for adaptation and adjustment of ideas
Fluency enables the generation of many ideas
Originality produces unique ideas
Elaboration involves developing and building upon ideas

Conflict resolution is the process of resolving disputes and finding mutually beneficial solutions
Steps in conflict resolution include identifying the problem and interests, gathering information, generating options, choosing a solution, implementing, and evaluating the outcome
Identifying the problem and interests involves understanding the needs and concerns of all parties
Gathering information clarifies goals and objectives
Generating options and evaluating possibilities involves finding potential solutions
Choosing a solution and implementing involves selecting and executing the chosen solution
Evaluating and reviewing the outcome involves assessing the effectiveness of the solution

Critical thinking involves objectively analyzing information and making informed decisions
Key skills for critical thinking include identifying biases and assumptions, evaluating evidence and arguments, considering multiple perspectives, and avoiding emotional reasoning
Identifying biases and assumptions involves recognizing personal biases and unfounded assumptions
Evaluating evidence and arguments involves assessing the credibility and validity of information
Considering multiple perspectives involves taking into account different viewpoints and opinions
Avoiding emotional reasoning involves making decisions based on facts rather than emotions

Logical reasoning involves using logical arguments and evidence to support decisions
Types of logical reasoning include deductive, inductive, and abductive reasoning
Deductive reasoning uses general rules to reach specific conclusions
Inductive reasoning uses specific examples to reach general conclusions
Abductive reasoning uses incomplete information to make an educated guess

Risk assessment involves evaluating potential risks and consequences of a decision
Steps in risk assessment include identifying potential risks, assessing the likelihood and impact, evaluating and prioritizing risks, developing strategies to mitigate or manage risks, and monitoring and reviewing the outcome
Identifying potential risks involves recognizing potential hazards and consequences
Assessing the likelihood and impact involves evaluating the probability and potential effect of each risk
Evaluating and prioritizing risks involves ranking risks based on their likelihood and impact
Developing strategies to mitigate or manage risks involves finding ways to reduce or manage risks
Monitoring and reviewing the outcome involves tracking and evaluating the effectiveness of risk management strategies