Embracing Technological Changes, Problem Solving and Critical Thinking

This course is accredited by the Services Seta, and the material covers unit standard 242817 at NQF Level 4 worth 8 credits.

In a rapidly evolving business landscape, the ability to adapt to change, solve complex problems, and leverage technology is crucial for organisational survival and growth. This course is designed to equip participants with the tools to navigate organisational change, manage resistance constructively, and lead teams through periods of uncertainty.

Furthermore, it dives deep into the mechanics of problem-solving and critical thinking, helping delegates understand how the human mind works, overcome barriers to sound reasoning, and apply creative thinking techniques. Finally, the course addresses the imperative of embracing technological advancements and automation, exploring how AI tools and new technologies can drive productivity, quality, and efficiency.

Upon completing this course, the participants will be equipped to:

• Understand the fundamentals of change management
• Identify drivers and barriers to organisational change
• Apply change management models and tools
• Manage resistance to change constructively
• Lead teams through periods of uncertainty and transition
• Understand the difference between planned and reactive approaches to change
• Understand the nature of resistance and develop creative approaches to the management of conflict
• Identify and understand key elements of the organisational change process
• Understand problem-solving as closing the gap between actual and expected performance
• Apply creative, critical, and systems thinking to decision-making
• Embrace technological changes, automation, and AI in the workplace

Module 1: Organisational Change

• What is change? Change - its impact on organisational sustainability
• Areas of organisational change (Structure, Technology, Task and People)
• Types of Organisational change (Anticipatory, Reactive, Incremental, Strategic)
• Change categories
• Motivate the need for change
• Misconceptions about change

Module 2: The Need for Change

• Analysing an area of the business that needs change
• Change management: a process not an event
• 4 steps of Change management
• Role and competencies of a change leader
• What top management should be doing during each phase (Planning, Design, Implementation)
• Leadership and Change
• Identify External Factors (Demographic Characteristics, Technological Advancements, Market Changes, Social and Political Pressures)
• Current and Future states
• Identify Core change issues
• Decide to change

Module 3: Problem Solving and Critical Thinking

• Problem Solving Journey: 4 main phases (Problem Identification, Cause Identification, Remedy Identification, Remedy Implementation)
• What is creativity? How does creative thinking work?
• Problem solving: Leader as facilitator of creativity
• Cost/benefit analysis: evaluating quantitatively whether to follow a course of action
• Understanding new ideas by brainstorming questions
• Understand the role of self-awareness in pro-active identification of potential problems
• Understanding how the human mind works and how thinking/reasoning processes operate
• Barriers to sound reasoning
• How to control and evaluate your thought processes
• Forming problem-solving teams
• Problem-solving approach: Problem definition, Causal analysis, Alternative approaches, Selection of solution, Implementation plan, Monitoring
• Creative Thinking: Lateral thinking, De Bono's six thinking hats exercise, Thinking outside the box
• Problem Analysis tools and techniques: Cost-benefit analysis, Pareto analysis, Star-bursting, Decision tree analysis, McKinsey 7s Framework

Module 4: Embracing Technological Changes and Automation

• Advances in technology
• Embracing technological advancements
• Why technology works for business: Increased productivity, Increased enjoyment, Improved quality, Improved efficiency, Improved integration of systems
• The need for automation
• AI tools