Practical Problem Solving - Arnold Library - Adult Learning

This course will allow you to understand how you, and others, make decisions to solve problems and why some decisions are more successful than others. In our family and working lives we are faced with many different problems which require very careful consideration, but which also have huge implications and big outcomes that we need to be aware of. Having the confidence to approach issues and problems systematically is an essential life skill and something that needs continual development.

Learn how to manage and master this talent!

Learn and develop skills that allow you to fully identify what the issues are that you are dealing with. Recognising the initial problem is not enough: seeing the broader implications and assessing what your desired result are the starting points. Having clarity about your options and then weighing them up will give you confidence and assurance that you are acting logically and systematically.

We will also look at how successfully we have managed problems in the past and what this review process tells us about our style and approach. This can include examples from our family, social or working lives.

Week 1- Induction and initial thoughts: why we need to solve problems and understand why they have arisen.

Week 2 – Common causes of problems: understanding their background and looking at them as opportunities.

Week 3 – Basic Models that help with problem solving: POCA, Focus and PMI and how to use them.

Week 4 – Basic Models: PDCA, Forcefield Analysis and 8D. Re-cap of course.

At the end of the course:

You will be able to construct an Action Plan to deal with short-and medium-term problems including identification of driving forces and measurable outcomes.

You will be able to apply and use a range of Models that will give you a framework to approach problems with greater certainty and understanding.

Funding and Fees

If you receive certain benefits, you may be able to take the course for free.
If money is stopping you from enrolling, please visit our funding page to see what help is available.

Living in England

To book and join one of our courses, you must live in England permanently and either:

• Live outside the devolved areas listed below, or

Live inside the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) area (Nottinghamshire or Derbyshire).

You cannot enrol if you live in these devolved areas:

• Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)

• Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

• North East Combined Authority

• South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority

• Tees Valley Combined Authority

• West Midlands Combined Authority

• West of England Combined Authority

• West Yorkshire Combined Authority

• Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority

• York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

• Hull and East Yorkshire

• Greater Lincolnshire

• Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority

• Cornwall Council

• Lancashire Combined County Authority

• Buckinghamshire Council

Residency Requirements (Additional Information)

If you live in the UK on a visa, we’ll need evidence of your visa to confirm funding. You can upload this when applying, and you’ll need to complete a short questionnaire.

Some exceptions include:

• Your visa must last until after your course ends.

• Asylum seekers must have lived in the UK for at least 6 months while their claim is being processed.

• You are supported by your local authority under Section 23C or 23CA of the Children Act 1989, or under the Care Act 2014.

Anyone who does not meet the funding criteria would need to pay full course fees.