BSBCRT311 Apply critical thinking skills in a team environment
Critical thinking
explanation
examples
Workplace issues/ problems
examples of common workplace issues that employees face
processes
Creative thinking
Thinking tools
explanation
mind maps
asking the right questions that can help you asses the meanings and significance of both arguments and claims
assess evidence, evaluate arguments and adapt your thinking to stay switched on and engaged in different situations
stepping back from a situation which enables you to see all angles before making judgements or making decisions
identifying key points, analysing sources of information and weighing up different types of information to come to your own independent conclusion
being creative, adaptable and reflective makes a clear and better thinker
evaluating evidence to decide for yourself to find what is accurate and what is relevant
do I have enough information to make a decision to feel confident in my judgement and have an independent viewpoint on a topic
filtering what is right and wrong information
an attorney reviews evidence and devises a strategy to win a case or to decide whether to settle out of court
A plumber evaluates the materials that would best suit a particular job
A nurse analyses the patient's injuries and decides the order by which the patients should be treated
definition
identifying, analysing, evaluating or judging information to find the right/ best answer
definition
is the ability to consider something in a new way
making reasonable, intelligent decisions that require high levels of cognitive skills and a positive mindset
problem solving
problems need to be dealt contructlively and fairly
identify solutions to problems is an important skill employers are looking for in employees
problem solving doesn't need an immediate answer but you need to asses the information you have to come to a solution
charateristics
self-confidence in ability
openminded in regarding world views
understanding other's opinions
willing to change views where reflection suggest change is warranted
willing to become and remain well-informed
benefits
makes informed decisions
in workplace
helps to tackle problems logically and see different perspective sin order to develop the best solution
open-mindedness to change
can reduce bias, conflict and allows you to reconsider other beliefs and history
don't want to overlook other people's solutions and ideas by being rigid in your own perspectives, be flexible
collaboration allows the creation of new and better solutions
seeing different perspectives
being optimistic lets you see opportunities even in a crisis when a pessimist cannot
barriers
lack of direction
afraid of failure
afraid of being rejected
resisting change and refusing to adapt to the situation
rationalising, doesn't let you improve
how to be better at critical thinking
clarify your thinking purpose and context
question information
identify arguments
analyse sources and arguments
evaluate arguments of others and create or synthesise your own arguments
new apporach to a problem
resultion to a conflict between employees
result from a data set
previously tried approach to earn revenue
new product or feature
lateral thinking, which is the ability to perceive patterns that are not obvious
shows that their are many solutions to problems
helps to recognise innovative solutions more quickly
makes better problem solver and teamwork skills
approaches
divergent thinking
convergent thinking
inspirational thinking
aesthetic thinking
brainstorming
effective brainstorming
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ideas should be evaluated at the end of the session – this is the time to further explore solutions, using refining creative thinking techniques such as SCAMPER.
criticising, analysing or rewarding ideas should be avoided at the initial concept stage as it stunts idea generation and limits creativity.
there should be a free and relaxed environment that encourages everyone to participate.
strange ideas should be welcomed and built upon
starbursting
Starbursting is a form of brainstorming that focuses on generating questions rather than answers
Mind maps are a graphical tool that use words to link, branch out and group concepts together through natural associations.
helps quickly generate more ideas by broadening and deepening the meaning of the initial idea or subject.
concept mapping
Like mind mapping, concept mapping uses the same processes but instead of words it uses illustrations to generate the broadening and refining of the initial illustrative concept or subject.
DeBono's 6 Thinking Hats
systematic method of thinking is a simple, effective technique that helps generate and refine ideas
technique separates thinking into six distinct categories that helps you easily focus, redirect or refine ideas
Hats: What do I know, What do I feel, What do I like, What do I dislike, Any alternatives, Where to now?
SCAMPER
a team brainstorming technique used to develop or improve products or services, using seven different types of questions
Substitute
Combine
Adapt
Modify
Put to another use
Eliminate
Reverse
Forced Analogies
when a series or pair of random unrelated words are forced into association to produce a creative solution
Free Writing
You start with a sentence or the start of a sentence on the topic you want to explore then write freely non stop for 5 minutes. After, underline the ideas that you think you could use and then develop these ideas further.
Helps to:
increase originality, risk taking and alternate possibilities
decrease creative thinking blockers and sequential thinking that limits creativity
SCAMPER: adapt it to your needs and capture your audience's attention
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- Explore the current situation
- Explain
- Find the core of the problem
What is the problem in its simplest form
presenting the problem, the impact it is having, the consequences of not solving the problem, and the emotions the problem is creating for those involved.
Stakeholders
is any person or entity that has a vested interest in a business or project
has a significant impact on decisions regarding the operations and finances of an organisation
Examples of stakeholders are investors, creditors, employees, and even the local community.
Find why is it a problem and what is the source of the problem or identify the consequences of not solving the problem. The goal is to get to the core of the problem.
Interpersonal conflict
Communication problems
Gossip
Bullying
Harassment
Discrimination
Low motivation and job satisfaction
Performance issues
Poor job fit
Stress
Resolving workplace problems
What is the problem, what is the impact and what are the solutions
Evaluating solutions critically
Use critical thinking skills
Decision statements
Decide on “musts” and “wants”
Develop list of criteria
Evaluate solution using the criteria
Workplace legislation
refers to laws that impacts the operations of the workplace and the relationship between employers and employees
Employment legislation covers the different statutes or acts that set out the legal entitlements employees have to certain conduct, benefits and rights from their employer or their employment
makes a positive contribution to employee relationships and increases employees' sense of fairness and trust in their employer
Workplace legislation is made up of various federal and state laws. The key workplace relation law in Australia is the Fair Work Act 2009
Organisational framework
defines the product and service flow throughout companies and also who will be responsible for making decisions about processes, projects, product development
Frameworks layout guidelines, best practices and operational principles to help organisations achieve objectives
Vison - business aspiration
Mission - why the company exists and what is envisioned
Objectives - the result that the company aims to achieve
Strategy - long term plan designed to achieve objectives
Approach - methodology for executing the long-term plan
Tactics - smaller, focused action plans that support the overall strategy
Boundaries to generating the best ideas
boundaries and constraints that may need to be considered when developing ideas and implementing the best solutions
The boundaries and constraints:
Available resources: budget, hardware and software, staff
Client requirements: the client may place very specific specifications on the design such as theme, colour, branding, etc.
Audience: the designer is limited in scope to what will appeal to the audience
Negative work conditions: limited time, heavy work schedules
Negative feeling about the task and designer’s ability
Copyright clearance issues
Out of scope of capabilities
Business specifications: a conservative business may expect their employees to also be conservative in their approach to creativity
Policies, procedures and processes within the business can hinder the designer from effectively performing the design process
Workspace ethics
Employer or company
Employee
to provide a safe work environment for employees
to show respect to employees
to provide a fair wage to employees
to show honesty and integrity during business interactions
Definition: a set of often unspoken moral principles relating to a specified group
to show up on time
to stay on task during working time
to treat the company's equipment, resources and products with care
to give respect to the company, to work with honesty and integrity
a set of moral principles, standards of behaviour, or set of values regarding proper conduct in the workspace
code of conduct is a set of principles for both employees and employers to follow
The 4 step process to make ethical decisions at work:
- define the problem or ethical solution
- list the facts that appear to be most significant to your decision and consider who is affected
- decide on a plan of action
- list 2-3 possible solutions and how these solutions could impact each person involved
example of 4 step process:
- employee stealing supplies
- low pay, don't want to spend money, cannot find the supplies
- lock in cupboard, CCTV, restricted access to supplies - could cause stress and anxiety for the employee and also for the employer to not trust employees
- use mind-map, de bono's 6 thinking hats, brainstorming to find a solution
helps to find out how you could change a design
Design elements and principles
elements
principles
Def: visual design elements are the things that make up a design, painting, drawing etc.
elements of design
line
texture
form
tone (shadow)
shape
colour
what it is:
Represents a single dimension
Combined with other elements it can create a shape, tone, form and texture
The weight and quality of the line may vary depending on its intended use
what it is:
Is the space within lines
Are two-dimensional, showing both width and height
Shapes can be:
Can be defined by other design elements, such as colour, texture and tone
Can suggest movement or emotion
Random: Without any conscious reference to any natural or geometric shape.
Abstract: Stylised versions of natural shapes
Natural: Animal, plant, human, fluid
Geometric: Triangles, rectangles, circles, polygon
Created by joining two or more shapes.
Can enhance these shapes so they look more 3-dimensional with the use of other elements.
Def: the feel of a surface
what it is:
Used to describe form through shadows and highlights.
Can create effects in 2D and 3D shapes.
Can give solidity, volume and weight to an image.
Can gives the impression of distance. Darker tones come forward and lighter tones go back into the image.
Can give emotion to an image. Highly contrasting tones give life and energy, softer tones give a gentle mood.
what it is:
Powerful design element
Can attract attention, attract feelings and moods and convey messages instantly
Results can vary due to the combinations of the colours used in the design
Three main components of colour:
value
saturation
hue
what it is:
Perceived colour from the colour spectrum.
The colours name, e.g. blue, magenta, brown
Brightness (lightness or darkness of a colour)
How close to black or white the colour is
Intensity of a colour, e.g. the more grey a colour has in it, the less intense (or saturation) the colour is.
Def: design principles are ways of arranging or organising design elements.
hierachy
unity
rhythm / movement
balance
scale
perspective
Def: elements within a composition can be ordered and organised according to their importance.
primary and secondary heirachy
primary and secondary focus
Def: unity is achieved when all of the different elements in a design work together to create a unified whole.
Def: rhythm or movement is a feeling of structured movement created by the repetition of elements.
Def: balance is achieved when things are in equilibrium. This is commonly achieved through an equal weighting or distribution of elements within a whole.
Def: perspective is created through the arrangement of objects in two-dimensional space to look like they appear in real life
Def: scale is how large or small an object is compared to those around it. But no matter how large or small the object is scaled it is always true to it original or natural proportions.
Any mark whose length is greater than its width
An area or mass in space.
Can be 2 or 3 Dimensional
Can be achieved by the combination of elements, such as points and lines
Natural
Man-Made
Imperfections
Surfaces that occur naturally: Tree bark, leaves, rocks, water ripples, sand and skin fur.
Manufactured surfaces: Fabric, paper, printed text, bricks and glass
what are they:
Added textures: Scratches, tears, cracks, rust, splotches and stains.
Applied in a realistic or abstract style to create an arbitrary pattern.
Both tactile and visual.
pattern
repeated colour an/or shape
repetition
repeated characteristics that make up a whole
emphasis
The object which catches our attention first
A movement or flow that leads the eye from one element to another
colours
primary colours
red
yellow
blue
secondary colours
green
purple
orange
tertiary colours
Combination of primary and secondary colours
red-orange
red-orange
red-purple
blue-purple
blue-green
yellow-green
warm colours
Colours that make you think of warm things - sunlight, fire, heat
orange
red
yellow
cool colours
Colours that calm - water, sky, ice, snow
blue
green
purple
monochromatic
different shades of one colour
colour symbolism
Colours that have meaning or represent a connection to something specific, culture, events, brands
natural lighting
Daylight, cloudy or night sky
colour wheel
A tool used to organise colour - Primary, secondary, complementary and intermediate colours
contrast, balance, emphasis, proportion, hierarchy, repetition, rhythm, pattern, white space, movement, variety, and unity
shape, colour, space, form, line, value, and texture