Reference no: EM133555467

Apply Critical Thinking For Complex Problem Solving

Assessment Task 1: Knowledge questions

Questions
Provide answers to all of the questions below:
1. Complete the table outlining reliable information relevant to workplace processes.
2. Describe how legislation may be applicable to workplace problems (provide an example as part of your answer).
3. Describe how organisational policies and procedures may be applicable to workplace problems (provide an example as part of your answer).
4. Identify and describe two critical thinking methods that may be used to identify complex issues in the workplace using the table below (there is an example to get you started).
5. Identify and describe two critical thinking methods that may be used to generate solutions to complex issues in the workplace using the table below (there is an example to get you started).
6. Summarise the steps associated with a decision-making process. You may answer using a written paragraph or diagram.
7. List three advantages of addressing complex issues in the workplace.
8. Complete the table outlining the different types of risk that may be associated with pursuing a complex issue in the workplace.
9. List three barriers to effective decision-making
10. Summarise the requirements for the development and presentation of a brief and feedback register.
11. List four bodies you may be required to seek approval from to develop and implement solutions. 

Assessment Task 2: Project
In this task, you are required to demonstrate your skills and knowledge by working through a number of activities and completing and submitting a project portfolio.
You will need access to:
• a suitable place to complete activities that replicates a business environment including a meeting space and computer and internet access
• your learning resources and other information for reference
• Project Portfolio template
• Brief outline template
• Self-evaluation checklist
• Simulation Pack (if you need a case study).

Activities
Complete the following activities:

1. Carefully read the following:
This project requires you to apply a systematic decision-making approach to address a complex workplace issue of your choice. You are required to:
• Identify a complex issue in consultation with relevant stakeholders
• establish the objectives, advantages, risks and resources required when pursuing solutions to the identified issue
• source reliable information about the identified issue
• generate a range of solutions together with relevant stakeholders
• evaluate and compare solutions to choose the best one
• present the chosen solution to stakeholders for feedback
• refine the chosen solution to seek approval for its implementation.
This project must be based on an existing workplace issue that has numeric and financial data available to illustrate or support the complex issue. You can use the case study business provided to you by your assessor, or you may like to base this on your own business, or a business you are currently working for or are familiar with. It is important that this business has organisational policies and procedures related to your chosen issue or work area already developed. Speak to your assessor to get approval if you want to base this on your own business or one you work for.
You will also need to seek input from people who work for, or are involved, in this business process several times. Fellow students or your assessor can be involved in these meetings and play the roles of process stakeholders as relevant.
You will be collecting evidence for this unit in a Project Portfolio. The steps you need to take are outlined below.

2. Project planning
Make sure you are familiar with the business you are basing this assessment on. If you're basing this assessment on your own business or a business you work for, it's important at this step that you identify relevant stakeholders and have your business approved by your assessor.
If you're basing this assessment on the case study, identify a relevant job role you'll assume and any relevant stakeholders.
Complete Page 4 of your Project Portfolio for this unit.
Read through the requirements of Section 1, 2 and 3 of your Project Portfolio as well as the necessary background information, relevant policies and procedures.
Arrange a meeting with at least one stakeholder associated with the business who may assist you to identify a complex issue. Prepare to use the financial and numeric information at the meeting.
For the purpose of this role-play, your assessor or another student can act as a one or more stakeholders.

3. Stakeholder meeting
Meet with the relevant stakeholder Take notes so you can complete Section 1 of your Project Portfolio after the meeting. The meeting should last for approximately 10 minutes.
At the meeting:
• Use the numeric/financial information to discuss issues that fall within the scope of your job role.
• Identify a complex issue to address for the remainder of this assessment.
During the meeting, you will need to demonstrate effective communication skills including:
• Identify and articulating ideas clearly and persuasively
• Use a presenting style and vocabulary to suit the audience and situation
• Seeking the views and opinions of others by active listening and questioning

This meeting can either be viewed in person by your assessor or you may like to video record the session for your assessor to watch later. Your assessor can provide you with more details at this step. Make sure you follow the instructions above and meet the timeframes allocated.

4. Defining the complex issue
Complete Section 1 of your Project Portfolio.
When you complete Section 1, you need to:
• Provide an overview of your chosen business, including:
o The name of the business
o a description of what the business does
o the job role you perform in the business
• Describe the complex issue associated with the business, including:
o a brief outline of the issue
o who the stakeholders are and how they are associated with the issue
o analysis and presentation of numeric and financial data illustrating the complex issue
o two objectives when pursuing solutions
o three advantages of solving the issue
o three risks of addressing the issue.
• Establish the legislative and organisational requirements related to the complex issue, including:
o a summary of the relevant legislation
o a summary of the associated organisational policies and procedures
o an assessment of any actual or perceived bias.
• Calculate the resources required for the solution development process
• Prepare a presentation, using the work done in Section 1 of the Project Portfolio, to present the complex issue to relevant stakeholders.
You are also required to attach certain documents as part of your evidence - review the documents you need to attach as outlined in your in Section 1 of the Project Portfolio and make sure you attach these upon submission.
Make sure you have answered all questions in Section 1. Submit to your assessor for review.
Arrange a meeting with at least one of the relevant stakeholders who is responsible for approving further investigation of your chosen issue.

Before the meeting, choose two critical thinking techniques to use as tools to generate alternative solutions. Make sure you are familiar with the two critical thinking techniques as you will be using these techniques at the meeting.
For the purpose of this role-play, your assessor or another student can act as a one or more stakeholders.

5. Stakeholder meeting
Meet with the relevant stakeholders (at least one other person, such as your assessor or another student). Take notes so you can complete Section 2 of your Project Portfolio after the meeting. The meeting should last for approximately 30 mins. At this meeting, take on the role of facilitator/leader.
At the meeting:
• Present the scope of your complex issue (use the presentation prepared in Section 1 of your Project Portfolio).
• Use two critical thinking techniques to generate four to six solutions for your complex issue (you will need to attach the outcome e.g. mindmap to Section 2 of the Project Portfolio.).

During the meeting, you will need to demonstrate effective communication skills including:
• Identify and articulating ideas clearly and persuasively
• Use a presenting style and vocabulary to suit the audience and situation
• Seeking the views and opinions of others by active listening and questioning

This meeting can either be viewed in person by your assessor or you may like to video record the session for your assessor to watch later. Your assessor can provide you with more details at this step. Make sure you follow the instructions above and meet the timeframes allocated.
6. Systematic decision making
Complete Section 2 of your Project Portfolio.
When you complete Section 2 you need to:
• Summarise the outcomes of your meeting with the stakeholder, including:
o an outline of two critical thinking techniques used to generate solution alternatives with other stakeholders
o a list of four to six alternative solutions.
• Evaluate each identified solution to establish their feasibility, including:
o success criteria
o constraints
o evaluation of each alternative against the criteria and constraints
o list of all feasible options.
• Use one appropriate tool/technique to compare all feasible alternatives with one another. Include:
o a description of the tool or technique used
o proof of your comparison
o an assessment of bias in your decision-making
• Choose the best solution and explain:
o why did you choose it
o how does it meet the legislation and organisational policy requirements
o are there any risks associated with your solution?
o what are the advantages of the chosen solution?
o what are the resources required?
• Prepare a brief on your proposed solution (use "Brief template").
You are also required to attach certain documents as part of your evidence - review the documents you need to attach as outlined in Section 2 of the Project Portfolio and make sure you attach these upon submission.
Make sure you have answered all questions in Section 2. Submit to your assessor for review.
Arrange a meeting with at least one of the key stakeholders responsible for decision-making.
For the purpose of this role-play, your assessor or another student can act as a one or more stakeholders.

Before you continue, read through the requirements of Section 3 of your Project Portfolio. Make sure you have your brief available and ready to present.
As part of Section 3, you are required to develop a feedback register to use at the meeting. Do this before meeting with the stakeholders and use the register at the meeting.

7. Stakeholder meeting
Meet with the relevant key stakeholders (at least one other person, such as your assessor or another student). Take notes so you can complete Section 3 of your Project Portfolio after the meeting. The meeting should last for approximately 30 mins.
At the meeting:
• Present your brief to key stakeholders (use the brief prepared in Section 2 of your Project Portfolio).
• Record feedback in the feedback register (developed prior to this meeting).
During the meeting, you will need to demonstrate effective communication skills including:
• Identify and articulating ideas clearly and persuasively
• Use a presenting style and vocabulary to suit the audience and situation
• Seeking the views and opinions of others by active listening and questioning

8. Review your decision
Complete Section 3 of your Project Portfolio as part of your evidence for this step.
When you complete Section 3, you need to:
• Use the feedback from your meeting with stakeholders to refine your project brief
• Use an appropriate format to seek approval to implement your proposed solution (e.g. draft an email, complete an application form ready to be lodged etc.)
• Perform a self-evaluation to identify opportunities for improvement.
You are also required to attach certain documents as part of your evidence - review the documents you need to attach as outlined in your in Section 3 of the Project Portfolio and make sure you attach these upon submission.

9. Submit your completed Project Portfolio
Make sure you have completed all sections of your Project Portfolio, answered all questions, provided enough detail as indicated and proofread for spelling and grammar as necessary. Remember to submit all necessary attachments as indicated.
Submit to your assessor for marking.