Critical Thinking for Project Managers

This highly interactive seminar will help participants develop the tools, techniques and habits to think critically at work and at home. While critical thinking is a skill that we develop over a lifetime, this seminar will provide a strong intervention through discussion, small group activities and individual tasks to reinforce good thinking behavior and to identify poor thought processes.
 
Participants will learn that questions are the driving force in critical thinking. Questions must be guided by purpose and a measure of doubt to challenge assumptions. Clear thinking goes hand in hand with clear writing and thorough reading. Participants will examine critical thinking as it requires the assessment of information using some criteria including the credibility of source, the distinction of fact and opinion and the extrapolation of implications.
 
Finally, the seminar will explore emotional intelligence since critical thinking requires us to understand ourselves and other points of view. Participants will practice using critical thinking skills and techniques and prepare a plan for development.

Learning Objectives

• list the characteristics of critical thinking
• use a variety of questions to clarify issues and identify assumptions and opinions
• identify unclear verbal and written statements and prepare clear written statements
• practice careful and thorough reading to increase understanding
• demonstrate the extrapolation of implications in a number of situations
• identify several personality types that influence critical thinking and that help understand different points of view
• list the attributes of emotional intelligence
• use guidelines and a checklist for more effective critical thinking
• prepare an action plan for continued improvement

Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:

• list the characteristics of critical thinking and discuss with class members
• use a variety of questions to clarify issues and identify assumptions and opinions and demonstrate in diads and group discussion
• identify unclear verbal and written statements, prepare clear written statements and demonstrate in individual activities and group discussion
• practice careful and thorough reading to increase understanding and demonstrate to each other in small groups
• extrapolate the implications in a number of situations and demonstrate to each other in small groups
• identify several personality types that influence critical thinking and use more effective techniques to work with others
• list the attributes of emotional intelligence and plan personal development
• use guidelines and a checklist for more effective critical thinking and demonstrate with other class members
• prepare an action plan for continued improvement written in their participant manual

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