Critical Thinking Getting all of the Pieces of the Critical Thinking Puzzle to Improve Effective Decision Making To every complex question there is a simple answer and it is wrong. H.L. Mencken

Presentation By: Sharon Wardale-Trejo, Manager III Stanislaus County Department of Child Support Services

Agenda ■Introduction and Overview ■Barriers to Critical Thinking ■Tools to Develop Critical Thinking Skills ■Implementing Critical Thinking ■Analyze and Self Assess ■Critical Thinking at Work

Why Are We Here? ■Need a Better Way to ✷ Make Decisions ✷ Use Available Time ✷ Use Limited Resources ■Real Case Scenario

Peerless Puzzles Demo Team ■Objective: To assemble the puzzle(s) in the time allowed. ■Each team gets an envelope containing puzzle pieces for 2 puzzles. ■Time: 5-7 minutes

Decisions without Critical Thinking

What is Critical Thinking? ■The disciplined art of ensuring that you use the best thinking you are capable of in any set of circumstances; or ■The art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it; or ■The discipline of using information, experience, observation and reasoning to guide your decision, actions and beliefs.

What is Critical Thinking to You? ■What do you see as the key elements of Critical Thinking?

Common Threads in Most Definitions ■An appreciation for various approaches to understanding; ■Increasing one’s sensitivity to culturally and socially based differences; ■Identify and reconsider some of their basic assumptions; and ■Be willing to step outside their own view to assess from a variety of perspectives. Underlying theme? Develop the skill of thinking.

Filters and Barriers to Critical Thinking

“The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.” Henri Bergson

Some Filters and Mental Models ■Assumptions ■Gender ■Social Class ■Past Experience ■Cultural Background ■Group Think ■Ideology ■Past Practices ■Biases

Ladder of Inference Source: The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook ■Illustrates how quickly we can leap to knee- jerk conclusions. ■We observe “data”; ■Put our own meanings and assumptions on what we saw; ■Draw conclusions; and ■Take action based upon our conclusions.

Critical Thinking Jigsaw Puzzle Question Every Step Consider the Facts Test Assumptions Sound Reasoning Unbiased Judgment Thinking logical, rational and complete

Developing Critical Thinking ■Two Key Efforts ✷ Analytical thinking Analyze cause and effect;Analyze cause and effect; Develop evaluation skillsDevelop evaluation skills Analyze trends to make sensible predications about the futureAnalyze trends to make sensible predications about the future ✷ Critical Thinking Mindset Open-MindedOpen-Minded Well-InformedWell-Informed LogicalLogical Seek ClarificationSeek Clarification

Tools to Develop Your Critical Thinking Skills ■Cause & Effect Diagrams (Fishbone Diagrams) ■Ladder of Inference ■Impact Analysis ■Appreciation ■Drill-Down ■Systems Diagrams ■Decision Trees ■Six Thinking Hats

Cause and Effect Diagrams PEOPLEMATERIALS Problem to be Solved (Effect) RULES & REGULATIONS SYSTEM & TECHNOLOGY

Ladder of Inference How to Avoid Jumping to Conclusions ■At each stage ask yourself WHAT you are thinking and WHY. ■Some questions can include: ■Why this course of action? ■What belief led to that action? ■What am I assuming and are my assumptions valid? ■What data have I chosen and why? ■Have I considered all the right facts? Source:

Impact Analysis ■Designed to unearth the “unexpected” negative effects of change. ■Used before you start a project or if the decision has been made - it helps prepare for and manage any serious issues. ■Brainstorm major areas affected - Team-based approach most effective – varied perspectives ■List potential impacts, evaluate severity and manage the consequences.

Appreciation “So What?” ■Powerful technique for extracting the maximum amount of information from a simple fact. ■Starting with a simple fact, ask the question, “So what?” or what are the implications of that fact? ■Keep asking that question until you have drawn all possible inferences. ■Appreciation provides a framework within which you can extract information quickly, effectively and reliably.

Systems Diagrams

How to Apply the Tools at Work ■Changing organizational function from team functional to cradle to grave. ✷ Impact Analysis or Systems Diagrams ■Areas of focus for the next strategic plan. ✷ Cause and Effect Diagram (Fishbone Diagram) ■Checking if your decision is sound and based upon valid data. ✷ Ladder of Inference

EXERCISES

Cause and Effect: Barriers to Performance PEOPLEMATERIALS Potential Actions for Improved Performance RULES & REGULATIONS SYSTEM & TECHNOLOGY

Self Assessments ■How well did we do use critical thinking skills? ■Are you aware of any assumptions and biases? ■What’s your action plan to move forward? Source: Non Sequitur, Property of United Feature Syndicate, Inc.

Benefiting from Critical Thinking ■What if we did this well – how would it benefit the organization? ■What would be different? ■What would be working better? ■How would processes be improved? ■What efficiencies would be gained? ■What repetitious processes would be eliminated?

Conclusion ■Critical thinking means choosing the right thinking process, and ensuring you use it rigorously and completely. ■THINK before you think, and choose the best tools and techniques for each situation. ■Critical thinking enables you to have all the pieces of the puzzle when making decisions ■Critical thinking enables you to have all the pieces of the puzzle when making decisions. Thank You! Thank You!