Critical thinking involves using a framework to solve complex problems. Critical thinking skills can be learned and must be practiced to be effective. One of the key concepts I learned in class is making sure I am solving the correct problem, and not merely a symptom and the problem. Discerning symptoms from the problems can be difficult, and that is where the critical thinking framework I2 Plus IF is useful.
The I2 Plus IF process, or individual inquiry plus informal formulation process, provides a framework for thinking about problems. This process employs divergent thinking to identify a problem and formulating solutions. It process encourages expanding the possibilities to consider alternative perspectives. The divergent thinking inherent …show more content…
On the first week of class, I had an “a-ha moment” while working on a case and we were encouraged to ask ourselves, “Am I solving the right problem?” In hindsight, my lack of critical thinking tools (such as the individual inquiry process) and my thinking traps (specifically, an anchoring bias and motivation trap) prevented me from solving the correct problem, and instead I was solving symptoms.
In the future, when encountering difficult problems, I will be equipped with the problem formulation methodology I2 Plus IF. The acronym PPPICACC will also help remind me to consider the elements of critical thinking when formulating problems and solutions. I believe having a formal process to solve problems will help me not be a better thinker, but also provide a framework to communicate the problem and solution process to key stakeholders (like my boss!).
To continue to develop my critical thinking skills, my goal is to be more reflective about my thinking. It was said that we “learn not from our experiences, but from thinking about our experiences.” I hope to carve out time each week to reflect on my work, and think about my
The I2 Plus IF process, or individual inquiry plus informal formulation process, provides a framework for thinking about problems. This process employs divergent thinking to identify a problem and formulating solutions. It process encourages expanding the possibilities to consider alternative perspectives. The divergent thinking inherent …show more content…
On the first week of class, I had an “a-ha moment” while working on a case and we were encouraged to ask ourselves, “Am I solving the right problem?” In hindsight, my lack of critical thinking tools (such as the individual inquiry process) and my thinking traps (specifically, an anchoring bias and motivation trap) prevented me from solving the correct problem, and instead I was solving symptoms.
In the future, when encountering difficult problems, I will be equipped with the problem formulation methodology I2 Plus IF. The acronym PPPICACC will also help remind me to consider the elements of critical thinking when formulating problems and solutions. I believe having a formal process to solve problems will help me not be a better thinker, but also provide a framework to communicate the problem and solution process to key stakeholders (like my boss!).
To continue to develop my critical thinking skills, my goal is to be more reflective about my thinking. It was said that we “learn not from our experiences, but from thinking about our experiences.” I hope to carve out time each week to reflect on my work, and think about my