Critical Thinking
RESOURCES
Project: Apply Critical Thinking
Step 1: Prepare to Think Critically
In this first step, you will prepare to respond to your boss’s request for an analysis of a problem in your organization. You realize that this will require careful thinking. So, you take some time to review the process and to engage in Critical Thinking and Analysis (SEE ATTACHMENT).
Critical Thinking and Analysis
First, let’s consider what it means to engage in critical thinking. While the application of critical thinking may vary across disciplines, the steps are universal. Adapted from the writings of Bassham, Irwin, Nardone, and Wallace (2011), Lau (2011), and Lau and Chan (2015), critical thinking involves thinking clearly and systematically, and includes:
· formulating ideas succinctly and precisely
· identifying the relevance and importance of ideas
· understanding the logical connections between ideas
· identifying, constructing, and evaluating arguments, claims, and evidence
· recognizing explicit and implicit assumptions, arguments, and biases
· detecting inconsistencies and common mistakes in reasoning
· formulating clear defensible ideas and conclusions
· evaluating the pros and cons of decisions
· reflecting on one’s own beliefs and values
· applying ethical decision making
References
Bassham, G., Irwin, W., Nardone, H., & Wallace, J. (2011). Critical thinking: A student's introduction. (4th ed.) New York, NY: The McGraw Hill Companies.
Lau, J. (2011). An introduction to critical thinking and creativity: Think more, think better. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Lau, J., & Chan, J. (2015). What is critical thinking? Retrieved from http://philosophy.hku.hk/think/critical/ct.ph
Resources
· Critical Thinking: What It Is and Why It Counts (see attachment)
· Moving Beyond Biases and Stereotypes: The Critical Stance (see attachment)
When you have finished your review of the learning resources, you will move on to the next step: identifying the problem
Step 2: Identify the Problem
Now that you have reviewed the process, apply that to the problem by reviewing the case, "Trouble in the Truss Construction Shop." Your first task is to figure out how the incident resulted in a problem in the truss construction shop.
Remember the direction from your boss is to “apply your critical thinking and analytical skills to figure out what happened, what we know and don’t know, and how the organization might remedy this situation.”
So, what is the problem that resulted from the incident, and why might there be different interpretations of the facts?
Outline the points that you want to make in the first two sections of your paper (introduction, explanation), and draft those sections.
CASE STUDY: Trouble in the Truss Construction Shop
Two weeks ago, during a QA truss load test, the truss being tested fragmented along a horizontal axis, causing a large piece of the truss to break part and fall on a hoist operator supporting the test. The hoist operator sustained head injuries and remains in an induced coma in a local hospital. This accident sent shock waves through the Truss Construction Department because the company has heavily invested in a new engineering and manufacturing process to produce a cost-effective truss that has been touted to be on the “cutting edge” of construction technology, especially for low cost housing in overseas markets.
A report by the Safety Officer, QA manager, and engineer verified that the test being conducted pushed the load testing slightly beyond the high threshold of acceptable load-bearing, though the extra load was not expected to cause the truss to fail. In fact, the trusses were advertised to meet “commercial-high” load requirements.
Employees in the engineering shop have been asking if the manufacturing or engineering process is flawed and if the trusses being produced could fail under load.
Company memos have focused on production and more testing at lower thresholds, and members of management are encouraging employees to continue the current production schedule to meet orders for the trusses.
The Sales department is highly concerned that if there is any delay in shipping, customers will pull their orders, which would have a disastrous result on revenues.
Faruch Habib, a production line worker, leaked the details of the accident and test thresholds to the press. Two weeks later, he was terminated for documented poor performance, according to managers.
The company Public Relations department has issued a general statement that the company has taken all action to ensure that this type of workplace accident would not be repeated.
Next, you will analyze the information.
Step 3: Analyze the Information
Once that you have some understanding of the issues of the event, gather and analyze information. The Problem Analysis resources will further aid your analysis and development of the third section of your paper.
Outline the points that you want to make in Section 3: Analysis of the Information of your paper, and draft that section.
Problem Analysis
Problem analysis involves framing the issue by defining its boundaries, establishing criteria with which to select from alternatives, and developing conclusions based on available information. Analyzing a problem may not result in a decision, although the results are an important ingredient in all decision making.
Another way to consider problem analysis is a process that includes identifying and defining the problem, gathering information about the problem, and deciding if one or a group will begin work to solve the problem. A decision to solve the problem leads to analysis of the problem, in this model, asking the what, why, how, and other basic questions. From this point, the group can re-visit the decision to solve and refine any issues (risk, cost, feasibility, for example.)
References
Defining decision making. (n.d.). Boundless Management. Retrieved from https://www.boundless.com/management/textbooks/boundless-management-textbook/decision-making-10/decision-making-in-management-75/defining-decision-making-366-3930/
Nagy, J. (n.d.). Defining and analyzing the problem. Community Toolbox. Retrieved from http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/analyze/analyze-community-problems-and-solutions/define-analyze-problem/main
Resources
· Problem Analysis: Defining Decision Making(see below)
· Problem Analysis: System Analysis( see attachment)
Problem Analysis: Defining Decision Making
Defining Decision Making
Decision making is the mental process of selecting a course of action from a set of alternatives.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
· Identify the steps and analyze alternatives in a decision-making process
Key Points
· Decision making is a process of choosing between alternatives.
· Problem solving and decision making are distinct but related activities.
· Time pressure and personal emotions can affect the quality of decision-making outcomes.
Key Terms
· Problem: A difficulty that has to be resolved or dealt with.
Decision making is the mental process of choosing from a set of alternatives. Every decision-making process produces an outcome that might be an action, a recommendation, or an opinion. Since doing nothing or remaining neutral is usually among the set of options one chooses from, selecting that course is also making a decision.
Difference Between Problem Analysis and Decision Making
While they are related, problem analysis and decision making are distinct activities. Decisions are commonly focused on a problem or challenge. Decision makers must gather and consider data before making a choice. Problem analysis involves framing the issue by defining its boundaries, establishing criteria with which to select from alternatives, and developing conclusions based on available information. Analyzing a problem may not result in a decision, although the results are an important ingredient in all decision making.
Steps in Decision Making
Decision making comprises a series of sequential activities that together structure the process and facilitate its conclusion. These steps are:
· Establishing objectives
· Classifying and prioritizing objectives
· Developing selection criteria
· Identifying alternatives
· Evaluating alternatives against the selection criteria
· Choosing the alternative that best satisfies the selection criteria
· Implementing the decision
Analysis of Alternatives
Many Choices
Too many choices increase the difficulty of making a decision.
A major part of decision making involves the analysis of a defined set of alternatives against selection criteria. These criteria usually include costs and benefits, advantages and disadvantages, and alignment with preferences. For example, when choosing a place to establish a new business, the criteria might include rental costs, availability of skilled labor, access to transportation and means of distribution, and proximity to customers. Based on the relative importance of these factors, a business owner makes a decision that best meets the criteria. The decision maker may face a problem when trying to evaluate alternatives in terms of their strengths and weaknesses. This can be especially challenging when there are many factors to consider. Time limits and personal emotions also play a role in the process of choosing between alternatives. Greater deliberation and information gathering often takes additional time, and decision makers often must choose before they feel fully prepared. In addition, the more that is at stake the more emotions are likely to come into play, and this can distort one's judgment.
Licenses and Attributions
Decision Making in Management from Boundless Management by Lumen Learning, originally published by Boundless.com, is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license.
Next, you will consider other viewpoints
Step 4: Consider and Analyze Other Viewpoints, Conclusions, and Solutions
Once you have completed your analysis of the incident, the next step is to analyze alternative viewpoints, conclusions, and solutions. To do this you will need to apply Ethical Decision-Making and Reasoning. Also highly recommended, Randolph Pherson's "The Five Habits of the Master Thinker," a paper written for intelligence analysts, but applicable to all analytical thinking and reasoning.
Outline the points that you want to make in Section 4: Analysis of Alternative Viewpoints, Conclusions, or Solutions of your paper, and draft that section.
Ethical Decision-Making and Reasoning
What are the different viewpoints? There are often different interpretations of the facts. This may be one of the more challenging aspects of critical thinking. You will also employ ethical reasoning and decision-making, carefully considering all points of view and recommendations to maintain a critical thinking mindset.
Resources
· Ethical Reasoning and Analysis
Next, you will develop your conclusions.