Design Thinking, Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
Signature Program
A two-day problem-solving workshop helping participants combine creative exploration, analytical thinking, and practical solution design.
Programme Positioning
A two-day problem-solving workshop helping participants combine creative exploration, analytical thinking, and practical solution design.
The Problem We're Solving
Many people jump from problem to answer too quickly. They solve symptoms, defend first ideas, or analyse without empathy for the people affected.
The gap is not intelligence. It is a structured way to explore, analyse, and test solutions.
Who This Is For
- Young professionals and emerging talent
- Teams solving customer, process, or service challenges
- Employees who need stronger critical thinking and problem-solving habits
- Groups preparing for innovation or improvement projects
Programme Overview
Participants learn to understand users, define problems, generate options, analyse root causes, prototype ideas, and present solutions.
The workshop blends design thinking with analytical thinking so learners do not choose between creativity and rigour.
The Learning Journey
The journey begins with empathy and problem framing, then moves into analysis, ideation, prototyping, testing, and solution presentation. Participants learn by working on practical challenges rather than only discussing models.
Day 1
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 0900am - 1030am | Problem Mindset and Empathy Discovery Overview Participants examine how people usually define problems too early. The block introduces empathy as a discipline for understanding people, context, and pain points. Learners gather observations before deciding what the problem is. Learning Outcome - Explain why premature solutions create weak outcomes. - Use empathy to understand users or stakeholders. - Capture observations without jumping to conclusions. |
| 1030am - 1045am | Morning Break |
| 1045am - 1245pm | Problem Definition and Root Cause Thinking Overview Participants turn observations into clearer problem statements. The block introduces analytical thinking tools for causes, assumptions, and evidence. Learners practise separating symptoms from root issues. Learning Outcome - Write clearer problem statements. - Analyse causes and assumptions more rigorously. - Distinguish symptoms from deeper problems. |
| 1245pm - 1400pm | Lunch & Prayer |
| 1400pm - 1530pm | Ideation and Option Expansion Overview Participants generate multiple solution directions instead of defending the first answer. The block uses creative constraints and group thinking to widen possibilities. Debriefing focuses on how to move between divergent and convergent thinking. Learning Outcome - Generate a wider range of possible solutions. - Use criteria to select stronger options. - Balance creative thinking with practical judgement. |
| 1530pm - 1545pm | Evening Break |
| 1545pm - 1700pm | Concept Selection and Prototype Planning Overview Participants choose one idea to develop and plan a low-risk prototype. The block helps them translate ideas into something testable. The day closes with peer feedback on feasibility and value. Learning Outcome - Select a solution using clearer criteria. - Design a simple prototype or experiment. - Improve ideas through peer feedback. |
Day 2
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 0900am - 1030am | Prototype Build and Testing Mindset Overview Participants build or map a prototype of their solution. The block reframes testing as learning, not proving that the idea is perfect. Learners identify what evidence they need before scaling the solution. Learning Outcome - Build a simple prototype or solution model. - Define what needs to be tested. - Treat feedback as learning data. |
| 1030am - 1045am | Morning Break |
| 1045am - 1245pm | Analysis, Refinement, and Decision Logic Overview Participants review feedback and refine their solution using analytical criteria. The block strengthens decision logic around feasibility, impact, risk, and stakeholder fit. Learners practise improving rather than defending their idea. Learning Outcome - Analyse feedback and evidence objectively. - Refine a solution using practical criteria. - Explain trade-offs in the chosen solution. |
| 1245pm - 1400pm | Lunch & Prayer |
| 1400pm - 1530pm | Solution Story and Presentation Overview Participants prepare a clear solution narrative that explains the problem, insight, idea, and expected impact. The block connects problem-solving to communication. Peer challenge helps participants strengthen logic and clarity. Learning Outcome - Present a solution with clear problem-solution logic. - Communicate evidence, trade-offs, and expected impact. - Respond to questions with clearer reasoning. |
| 1530pm - 1545pm | Evening Break |
| 1545pm - 1700pm | Reflection and Application Plan Overview Participants reflect on how their thinking changed across the process. The final debrief captures habits to use in future problems. The workshop closes with one practical application plan for a real challenge. Learning Outcome - Identify personal problem-solving habits to improve. - Transfer the process to real work or study challenges. - Commit to one next problem-solving application. |
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:
- define problems with more empathy and precision
- analyse root causes and assumptions
- generate and select stronger solution options
- prototype and test ideas
- communicate solution logic clearly
Design Philosophy
The workshop blends creativity with rigour. Learners experience the full problem-solving cycle, then debrief the thinking habits that made the solution stronger.
Why This Is Different
| Typical Problem-Solving Training | Design and Analytical Problem Solving |
|---|---|
| Jumps to frameworks | Starts with lived problem experience |
| Separates creativity and analysis | Blends both intentionally |
| Ends with ideas | Ends with prototype, feedback, and application |
| Focuses on answers | Focuses on thinking behaviour |