Challenges how the business operates

Use the 5 whys of critical thinking

Answer the 7 "so whats"

Use the 80/20 rule to think critically

Apply to the way you do analysis

Link the high level problem with the analysis

conducted

What are you proving

What are you disproving (unforeseen bottlenecks*Multiple problems)/

High road Important of critical thinking limited time
Estimate benefits before analyzing data
Avoid rush off and answer quickly

Use the 80/20 principle

How to successfully conduct analysis Evaluate symptoms
Using critical thinking tools
Do the results support or refute the
recommendations Test your thinking Find the root cause
Distinguish causes vs consequences

Only run analysis related to issues Think backwards to identify causes

Avoid getting lost in data Low road Understanding critical thinking Think forward to identify consequences

Dont polish dirt What is the root cause of the problem

Stop and think

Focus your attention on the answers that Generate recommendation

matter
What new problem you can create with
Will solution have enough impact on the recommendation
business
Break big problems into small ones
Find interconnections and patterns
Consider the relative size Consider the implications of answers

Look for links between unrelated problems to What is destination

discover solutions

What is success for problem

Critical thinking Define the problem statement
Identify a specific problem What the boundaries, constraints, and
assumptions
Break the big problem into smaller, solvable
problems
Who stakeholders are

Ask focusing questions

Avoid solving symptoms
Ask the question behind the question Understanding real question
Evaluate prior efforts
Generate recommendations that resonate
Define the problem

Look through new lenses What is inside of scope

Ask focusing questions
Understanding causality What is outside of scope

Blow up the business Examine past efforts

Thinking the problem through
Ask 5 why's Look the new solution Chang in point of view Perspective

7 So what's Use new lenses to think critically Changing context

80/20 principle Focus on the meaningful Change Reality What if

Next steps to thinking critically
Look at those insights from low level Think about Causality
analytics that come back

What are the consequences you might face

Take it up to the high road How to find root causes

Document those thoughts in your problem

Ask what do these insights mean for broader statement
problem Conduct the analysis
Are there new opportunities that come up
now that I understand that answer

Look for connection, patterns how this

problem represents other ones you've solved

Build the critical thinking approach into the

life of your team

Explore the future implications of solutions