Thinking Tools
For as long as I can remember I have been interested in tools that can help me analyze problems and come up with creative solutions. This section is intended as a repository of ideas that have proven their usefulness to me.
For many analytical thinking tasks I have found it useful to adopt a framework as a guide. The most complete thinking framework I have come across is one created by Richard Paul and Linda Elder of the Foundation for Critical Thinking (www.criticalthinking.org).
It is hard to do justice here to the powerful ideas Elder and Paul have assembeled, thus I encourage everyone to read their original work. In outline though, they refer to their framework as either the "Elements of Reasoning" or the "Universal Structures of Thought" depending on the book. These elements are usually depicted in circle cut up into eight sections, the idea being that each element of the circle supports the others in building a strong foundation for deep and purposeful thought.
The first section of the "Elements of Reasoning" is indeed that all reasoning has a purpose. Often times this step is overlooked in the mad dash to solve a problem, and people never quite get to a good definition of the fundamental problem to be solved. Hence, many people when faced with a difficulty spend a lot of time and energy spinning their wheels and thrashing about, never quite sure they have a firm grasp of the true issue.
They discuss the importance of aquiring data, facts, obsevations and experiences about the problem (question at issue) and the difficulties involved in making interpretations and drawing inferences based on the available information. The importance of identifying assumptions in thinking is also a fundamental aspect of their framework, as is the need to realize that all thought happens within a point of view.
Elder and Paul have written many books over the years. The best in my opinion are a set of mini-books that they intend for instruction of school students, as they have the essence of their system laid out in a simple coherent whole. When reading these books if you see "student" just substitute "consultant", "business partner", "vendor" or whatever fits your situation at hand. I have included links on the right for the two that I found most useful.