1.1. Problem-solving Techniques.

 1-2-4 All Approach + Voting

The 1-2-4-All is a good problem-solving approach that can work no matter how large the group is.
Everyone is involved, and you can generate a vast amount of ideas quickly.
Ideas and solutions are discussed and organized rapidly, and what is great about this approach is the
attendees own their ideas, so when it comes to implementing the solutions, you don’t have more
work to gain buy-in.
As a facilitator, you first need to present the group with a question explaining the problem or
situation. For example, “What actions or ideas would you recommend solving the company’s lack of
quiet working areas?”

 1
With the question clear for all to see, the group then spends 5 minutes to reflect on the
question individually. They can jot down their thoughts and ideas on Post-Its.

 2
Now ask the participants to find one or two other people to discuss their ideas and
thoughts with. Ask the group to move around to find a partner so they can mix with new
people.
Ask the pairs to spend 5 minutes discussing their shared ideas and thoughts.

 4
Next, put the group into groups of two or three pairs to make groups of 4-6. Each group
shouldn’t be larger than six as the chances of everyone being able to speak reduces.
Ask the group to discuss one interesting idea they’ve heard in previous rounds, and each
group member shares one each.
The group then needs to pick their preferred solution to the problem. This doesn’t have
to be voted on, just one that resonated most with the group.
Then ask for three actions that could be taken to implement this change.

 All
Bring everyone back together as a group and ask open questions like “What is the one
thing you discussed that stood out for you?” or “Is there something you now see
differently following these discussions?”
 By the end of the session, you’ll have multiple approaches to solve the problem, and the
whole group will have contributed to the future solutions and improvements.

 The Lightning Decision Jam

The Lightning Decision Jam is a great way to solve problems collaboratively and agree on one
solution or experiment you want to try straight away. It encourages team decision making, but
at the same time, the individual can get their ideas and feedback across.
If, as a team, you have a particular area you want to improve upon, like the office environment,
for example, this approach is perfect to incorporate in the problem-solving steps.
The approach follows a simple loop.
o Make a Note – Stick It on The Wall – Vote – Prioritize

Using sticky notes, the technique identifies major problems, encourages solutions, and opens
the group up for discussion. It allows each team member to play an active role in identifying
both problems and ways to solve them.

 Mind Mapping
Mind mapping is a fantastic visual thinking tool that allows you to bring problems to life by
building out the connections and visualizing the relationships that make up the problem.
You can use a mind map to quickly expand upon the problem and give yourself the full picture
of the causes of the problem, as well as solutions.
The goal of a mind map is to simplify the problem and link the causes and solutions to the
problem.
To create a mind map, you must first create the central topic (level 1). In this case, that’s the
problem.
Next, create the linked topics (level 2) that you place around and connect to the main central
topic with a simple line.
If the central topic is “The client is always changing their mind at the last minute,” then you
could have linked topics like:
o How often does this happen?
o Why are they doing this?
o What are they asking for?
o How do they ask for it?
o What impact does this have?
 Adding these linking topics allows you to start building out the main causes of the problem as
you can begin to see the full picture of what you need to fix. Once you’re happy that you’ve
covered the breadth of the problem and its issues, you can start to ideate on how you’re going
to fix it with the problem-solving steps.
Now, start adding subtopics (level 3) linking to each of the level 2 topics. This is where you can
start to go big on solutions and ideas to help fix the problem.
For each of the linked topics (level 2), start to think about how you can prevent them, mitigate
them, or improve them. As this is just ideas on paper, write down anything that comes to mind,
even if you think the client will never agree to it!
The more you write down, the more ideas you’ll have until you find one or two that could solve
the main problem.
Once you run out of ideas, take a step back and highlight your favorite solutions to take forward
and implement.

 The 5 Why’s
The five why’s can sound a little controversial, and you shouldn’t try this without prepping the
team beforehand.
Asking “why” is a great way to go deep into the root of the problem to make the individual or
team really think about the cause. When a problem arises, we often have preconceived ideas
about why this problem has occurred, which is usually based on our experiences or beliefs.
Start with describing the problem, and then the facilitator can ask “Why?” fives time or more
until you get to the root of the problem. It’s tough at first to keep being asked why, but it’s also
satisfying when you get to the root of the problem.
 The Bottom Line
To fix a problem, you must first be in a position where you fully understand it. There are many
ways to misinterpret a problem, and the best way to understand them is through conversation
with the team or individuals who are experiencing it.
Once you’re aligned, you can then begin to work on the solutions that will have the greatest
impact through effective problem-solving steps.
For the more significant or difficult problems to solve, it’s often advisable to break the solution
up into smaller actions or improvements.
Trial these improvements in short iterations, and then continue the conversations to review
and improve the solution. Implementing all of these steps will help you root out the problems
and find useful solutions each time.
 2. Which techniques have you applied to your scenarios and why
When I have problems that need to be solved, I usually use problem-solving steps, but each such
step will take a certain amount of time, so I only use it when there is a big problem. For small
problems, apply problem solving techniques depending on the type of problem.
Although my event planning did not have major problems, it also encountered certain difficulties:
- The most commonly encountered difficulty when working in groups is reaching consensus.
Everyone will have different ideas and thoughts, so everyone will not be able to agree on the same
opinion. At this time, The Lightning Decision Jam technique is the most suitable for solving problems
when everyone can quickly decide on work and opinions in a fair way.
- When organizing an event, there will be many difficulties from the design stage, the script to the
budget, it is necessary to plan closely and the mind map is indispensable when it is possible to build
solutions in advance. problems and make connections between problems.

I. Demonstrate that critical reasoning has been applied to a

given solution. (P4)
1. Introduction to critical reasoning.
Critical reasoning involves the ability to actively and skillfully conceptualize, analyze, question and
evaluate ideas and beliefs. Critical reasoning is the opposite of dogma. Dogma is unquestioned
information — information that is embraced without the intervention of active thought or criticism.
To reason critically is to question the ideas and beliefs of others and oneself and to challenge dogma
and authority.
When we start to question the ideas and beliefs we live by, we start to think for ourselves. To think
for ourselves involves a critical attitude of reflecting upon how we think and act. To think critically is
to question the world and thus to engage critically with the possibilities and alternatives which the
world offers.
 Elements of Reasoning
The "parts" or elements of thinking are as follows:
- All reasoning has a purpose
- All reasoning is an attempt to figure something out, to settle some question, to solve some
problem
- All reasoning is based on assumptions
- All reasoning is done from some point of view
- All reasoning is based on data, information and evidence
- All reasoning is expressed through, and shaped by, concepts and ideas
- All reasoning contains inferences or interpretations by which we draw conclusions and give
meaning to data
- All reasoning leads somewhere or has implications and consequences

 Traits of the Disciplined Mind

 Standards for Reasoning

2. Evidence of applying this to your scenario

Event programming is a task that requires a lot of skill and teamwork. For event scheduling, I've
connected the basic considerations for getting the task done and properly organized:
The event will take place within 4 days so I need a specific schedule along with the appropriate
content for those 4 days. I envisioned objects for which it would be simpler to appear, and no doubt
to have a perfect timing.
- On the first day, the event will start with a video introducing the event content for everyone to
understand more clearly, then there will be a ceremony to start the event. And finally, the
exchange event in the afternoon will help everyone feel more comfortable, the event will run
more smoothly.
- The second day will start a workshop to help staff grasp knowledge better, then a small talk
show and end with a mini to relax and consolidate knowledge.
- Day 3 is the best day for a team building event to take place after 2 days of warm-up, then it
will end with a presentation for more effective teamwork.
- The last day will be lighter with less knowledge and experience of the talk show pros. Next will
be a small test to consolidate knowledge and finally a summary.
Building a reasonable schedule through organizing content, each person's work, all thanks to the
ability to understand the connections between ideas, determine the relevance and meaning of
ideas.