Critical thinking is the ability to collect and analyze information (by asking the right questions) to come to the best conclusion possible. Strong critical thinkers analyze information from a variety of viewpoints in order to identify the best course of action. Being able to think critically is important in virtually every industry and applicable across a wide range of positions. That’s because critical thinking isn’t subject-specific—rather, it’s your ability to parse through information, data, statistics, and other details in order to identify a satisfactory solution.

Developing your critical thinking skills improves your problem-solving skills, boosts your data-driven decision-making ability, and gives you a methodology to tackle complex problems. Good critical thinkers are comfortable with ambiguity and are willing to challenge their hypotheses in order to come to the best conclusions.

There’s a lot that goes into the full critical thinking process, and not every decision needs to be this thought out. Sometimes, it’s enough to put aside bias and approach a process logically. In other, more complex cases, the best way to identify the ideal outcome is to go through the entire critical thinking process. To get started, consider these steps to critical thinking.

7 Step Critical Thinking Process
  1. Identify the problem. Be as precise as possible. The narrower the issue, the easier it is to find solutions or answers.
  2. Gather data, opinions, and arguments. Gathering varied information is essential for your ability to apply the critical thinking process. If you don’t get enough information, your ability to make a final decision will be skewed.
  3. Analyze and evaluate the data. Once you’ve gathered all of the information, sift through the noise and identify what information is relevant and what information isn’t. Ask yourself:
    • Is the information reliable?
    • Is the information significant?
    • Is there enough information or data to support the given hypotheses?
  4. Identify assumptions. One of the most useful parts of the critical thinking process is coming to a decision without bias. In order to do so, you need to take a step back from the process and challenge the assumptions you’re making.
    • Are the sources you found unbiased?
    • Are you sure you weren’t biased in your search for answers?
  5. Reach a conclusion. Identify various possible conclusions and decide which (if any) of them are sufficiently supported. It is important to weigh strengths and limitations of all possible options. To identify the best solution, draw connections between causes and effects.
  6. Present your solution. Share your conclusion with other project stakeholders.
  7. Analyze your decision. After you’ve implemented your decision, evaluate whether or not it was effective.
    • Did it solve the initial problem?
    • What lessons—whether positive or negative—can you learn from this experience to improve your critical thinking for next time?

This problem-solving process creates an environment where critical thinking becomes a working part of finding a solution. For individuals who struggle with this method, you may want to consider some training in critical thinking. Duke Learning & Organization Development is offering a “Critical Thinking Skills: Strategies for Improving” course on August 10th (you can register HERE).

Overall, this process promotes critical thinking in your employees. As well, you can use critical thinking for making plans and creating a mission. The value added to your organization includes improved engagement, insight and productivity from your team.

 

References:

Business.com (2023, March 6) Lynette Reed: Building Critical Thinking Skills to Solve Problems at Work

Asana (2021, September 29) Julia Martins: How to Build Your Critical Thinking Skills in 7 Steps

Zety (2023, January 9) Michael Tomaszewski: Top 8 Critical Thinking Skills and Ways to Improve Them