Employers value people who can think critically and solve problems on the job. It is important to be able to:
Identify the problem. The 5 Why’s strategy will help you ask the right questions to uncover the root of the problem. Click here 
to learn more about the 5 Why’s strategy.
Clarify purposes and goals. Something as simple as a flow chart may help to identify cause and effect, as well as purposes and goals. Use a word program to organize yourself, and clarify your purposes and goals. Click here to learn how to create a flow chart in Microsoft Word or PowerPoint.
Identify solutions 
to a problem and their impact. Creating a cause-and-effect diagram will assist you in: identifying the main problem, working out the factors contributing to the problem, identifying possible causes, and analyzing cause and effect. Click here for more detailed directions on how to create a cause-and-effect diagram.
Employ reasoning skills. Using reasoning skills requires breaking down thoughts and thinking things through. To reason effectively, you need to consider all of the information available. Click here to find some tools that will assist you in keeping track of information.
Evaluate options. When evaluating your options, one of the first things you need to consider is your goals. Then, consider the consequences of each option. It is always helpful to write down your thoughts. A flow chart may assist you in staying organized. Click here to see an example of a flow chart.
Set priorities. Setting priorities is essential in decision making and problem solving. There are several things to consider when setting priorities, including time constraints. Click here for some helpful tools on prioritizing.
Select and implement a solution to a problem. You have reasoned through potential solutions and considered the consequences. At this point you are ready to try something.
Evaluate results of implemented option. Go back to your flow chart or list where you recorded everything that would be affected by your decision. Now, note exactly how everything was affected. What was the result in each area?
Organize workloads. Now that you have found a solution that works for you, get organized. Click here for some helpful tips on organizing your workload and managing your time.
Problem solving certainly requires critical thinking. Critical thinking is a process, and there are several techniques that may assist you as you analyze a problem and work toward a solution. When a problem seems too big to solve, the first step is to break it down as much as possible. Do not try to solve an entire problem at once, but work with the problem piece by piece. Breaking down problems makes them much more manageable. Click here to learn about problem-solving techniques.
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