Need help with a Project (Part 1)

While working through problems or case studies, ask these questions.

Recognize Assumptions – Separating fact from opinion.

• What is the key issue/problem that you are trying to resolve?

• What information do you have about this issue?

• What are your ideas and assumptions that support your strategy or plan?

• Is there solid evidence to support those assumptions, and what might be some gaps in your reasoning?

• Who are the key stakeholders and what are their viewpoints?

• What other ideas should be explored, and what else do you need to know?

Evaluate Arguments - Analyzing information objectively and accurately, questioning the quality of supporting evidence, and understanding how emotion influences the situation.

• What are the pros and cons of the solution that you are proposing?

• What are your biases? Is there someone who has a different opinion than yours that you could run your ideas by?

• What impact will your decision have on others? How will you handle this?

• Who would disagree with your proposed solution? What is the rationale that supports their viewpoint?

• What key points, models and/or perspectives do you need to keep in mind as you evaluate the options?

• What will be the impact of your decision?

Draw Conclusions – Bringing diverse information together to arrive at conclusions that logically follow from the available evidence.

• After evaluating all of the facts, what is the best possible conclusion?

• What specific evidence is driving your conclusion?

• Is there new evidence that would impact your decision