Soft Skills
Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
Define problems clearly, find the real cause, think critically about information, choose a good solution and know when to escalate.
About this course
Every job has problems: a machine that keeps stopping, stock that doesn't add up, a customer whose order went wrong, a process that wastes time. Employers value people who can calmly work out what is really going on and suggest a sensible fix, and who know which problems they must pass on to someone else.
This course teaches a simple, step-by-step method for solving problems at work. You will learn to define a problem clearly, gather facts, find the root cause, tell facts from opinions and assumptions, avoid common thinking traps, come up with and compare options, make and check a decision, and know when and how to escalate a problem to your supervisor.
The course is fully online and self-paced. Each lesson has a short activity in your workbook. You finish with a practical task and a final assessment, and you receive a MetaCo Certificate of Completion that you can add to your CV.
Course content
Module 1: Module 1: Introduction
- 1.1 Welcome and how this course works
Module 2: Module 2: Defining the Problem
- 2.1 What problem-solving and critical thinking are
- 2.2 Defining a problem clearly
Module 3: Module 3: Finding the Cause
- 3.1 Gathering facts and asking good questions
- 3.2 Finding the root cause
Module 4: Module 4: Thinking Critically
- 4.1 Facts, opinions, assumptions and checking information
- 4.2 Common thinking traps
Module 5: Module 5: Weighing Options and Deciding
- 5.1 Generating options
- 5.2 Choosing, acting and checking
Module 6: Module 6: Knowing When to Escalate
- 6.1 Solve it yourself or escalate it?
- 6.2 How to escalate well
Module 7: Module 7: Putting It into Practice
- 7.1 Bringing it together and your practical task