Creating outstanding problem solvers

If you are a professional facing problems with a few years experience and have taken at least one training class, and feel you could do better and move up to the next level, then this is the place for you to start that process.

The Deep Dive podcast discussing this course

This program introduces you to problem solving in a systematic manner by applying systems thinking and beyond to problem-solving process. It is also a free prerequisite (modules 1 to 6) to the Creating Outstanding Project Managers and Creating Outstanding Systems Engineers courses because those people spend much of their time causing, identifying, creating and solving or resolving problems.

I’m interested in joining this program

Access to the modules and lessons

You access the course video lectures and readings via  the course host platform.

Structure

The course uses the Evercourse format. Read this first or listen to the podcast !!!!!

Unless otherwise stated all lecture videos are unlisted and are not be shared outside this class without permission. YouTube videos may be shared without permission.

Course has 4 text books, additional readings, 10 modules, 19 lessons, and 664 PowerPoint slides.

Text books

  • Kasser, J.E., Systems Thinker’s Toolbox, CRC Press, 2019 (printed or eBook: student’s choice)
  • Kasser, J.E., Holistic Thinking: creating innovative solutions to complex problems (HT), Createspace 2013 (in pdf)
  • Kasser, J.E., A Framework for Understanding Systems Engineering (FUSE), Createspace, 2013 (in pdf)
  • Kasser, J.E., Perceptions of systems engineering (POSE), Createspace, 2015 (in pdf)

Modules

Module 0 Introduction and overview

The course follows the problem solving process.

Purpose

  1. To introduce the course.
  2. To explain the structure of the course.
  3. To provide administrative information.
  4. To provide an overview of the modules and how they fit together.
  5. To discuss the two biggest mistakes students make in essay examinations and how to easily eliminate them.

Module 1 Thinking and systems thinking

The problem-solving process begins with understanding what is undesirable in a situation and the probable causes of the undesirability. this function requires thinking. Accordingly, this module discusses thinking, systems thinking and the need for going beyond systems thinking.

Purpose

  1. To learn about thinking.
  2. To learn about and use causal loops.
  3. To learn that systems thinking is generally applied but in an incomplete ad-hoc manner.
  4. To view issues from different perspectives.
  5. To view issues from a standard set (and combinations) of different perspectives and the benefit of doing so.
  6. To recognize the need to go beyond systems thinking.
The Holistic Thinking Perspectives

Module 2 Critical thinking

Once the undesirable situation has been perceived, the perceptions are examined and conclusions inferred, this process is often called “critical thinking”. Accordingly, this module discusses logic, reasoning and critical thinking.

Purpose

  1. To introduce logic and reasoning.
  2. To introduce and practice critical thinking.

Module 3 Holistic thinking (going beyond systems thinking)

Purpose

  1. To understand how the internal, external, progressive, quantitative and scientific holistic thinking perspectives and critical thinking relate to each other.
  2. To recognize the need to go beyond systems thinking.
  3. To show how holistic thinking can result in innovative solutions to problems.
  4. To practice holistic thinking in planning implementation of solutions.

Additional video

Module 4 Problems and problem-solving

Purpose

  1. To understand the need to, and difficulty of, identifying the correct problem.
  2. To understand the consequences of not identifying the correct problem.
  3. To understand the need for short term and long-term solutions and why they might be different.
  4. To distinguish between different types and classifications of problems.
  5. To review and elaborate on the problem-solving process.
  6. To introduce the Problem Formulation Template.

Module 5 Decisions and decision-making

Purpose

  1. To understand the nature of, and make, and make different types of decisions.
  2. To understand and use different decision-making tools.
  3. To be able to evaluate decision making tools and determine the one most suitable for a decision.
  4. To make decisions.
  5. To understand the nature of objective and subjective decision making.

Additional video

  • 0503 Kasser, J.E., Why selecting the wrong course on systems thinking, systems engineering or project management could cost you $1,000s more than the fee, July 2021, https://youtu.be/DTTrobYjLqg

Module 6 Remedying simple and complex problems

Purpose

  1. To explain complexity.
  2. To explain the difference between simple and complex problems.
  3. To explain how to remedy complex problems.
  4. To explain how to remedy wicked problems.

Additional video

Module 7 Tools and applications in project management

Purpose

  1. To show how systems thinking and beyond (STAB) tools can improve project management (increase probability of a successful project).
  2. To explain a few systems thinking and beyond tools for project management including:
    1. The Product-Activity-Milestone chart – a planning tool.
    2. The Enhanced Traffic Light chart – a tool for monitoring managerial progress.
    3. The Categorized Requirements in Progress chart – a tool for showing technical progress.

Additional videos

Module 8 Tools and applications in systems engineering

Purpose

  1.  To show how systems thinking and beyond (STAB) tools can improve systems engineering (increase probability of realizing a system compliant to requirements).
  2. To explain a few systems thinking and beyond tools for systems engineering.

Module 9 Tools and applications in risk management

Purpose

  1. To show how systems thinking and beyond (STAB) tools can improve risk management (increase probability of realizing a system compliant to requirements within cost and schedule).
  2. To explain a few systems thinking and beyond tools for risk management.

Module 10 Summary, review and closeout

Purpose

  1. To summarize and closeout the course.
Footnotes

This course was originally offered as “Systems Thinking and Beyond”.

The contents of the course is often changed to clarify the material based on student feedback as well as changes in the state of systems engineering. Accordingly, what is actually taught may be different to what is posted in this page. Lecture handout serial numbers are then updated in accordance with with the configuration control standard.

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