Wyoming Workforce Planning
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Critical & Analytical Thinking

Definition

Ability to look at situations from multiple perspectives.  Breaks problems into component parts.  Tendency or ability of individual to do something or create something new.  Considers and organizes parts in a systematic way. Creates solutions to problems using novel methods and processes.  Looks for underlying causes or thinks through the consequences of different courses of action.
 

Behavioral Descriptions
Proficiency Level 5
  • Generates transformational insights.
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  • Generates new insights which revolutionize procedures and methods.
  • Develops novel programs, processes, and designs.
  • Implements ground breaking, far reaching, cutting edge plans or procedures.
Proficiency Level 4
  • Creates innovative products and services.
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  • Recognizes problems and issues not apparent to others.
  • Experiments with new ideas, methodologies, and procedures.
  • Applies formal methods and strategies to enhance creative thought.
Proficiency Level 3
  • Discovers and makes improvements.
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  • Recognizes points for improvement and uses imagination to solve problems.
  • Examines situations from multiple or different perspectives.
  • Produces many useful ideas or explanations for circumstances.
  • Introduces new approaches that may have been tried elsewhere.
Proficiency Level 2

  • Generates simple ideas.

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  • Comes up with simple alternative solutions.

  • Solutions limited in scope.
Proficiency Level 1

  • Lacks imagination and creativity.

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  • Cannot look at situations in different ways.

  • Does not express or indicate active imagination.
Suggested Activities for Development

  • Commit to identifying two or more solutions when solving a problem. Weigh the costs and benefits associated with each solution and determine a course of action.

  • Identify a recurring problem in your work unit. Generate a set of solutions to address the problem. Devise an implementation plan for the chosen solution.

  • Volunteer to work on cross-functional teams or with people who are known to think outside of the box. Incorporate any new ideas and concepts gained from the experience in your work unit.

  • Once a week, engage in an activity that you typically do not do.

  • Seek out creative thinkers and talk with them to generate new ideas that can be applied in your work unit.

  • Subscribe to magazines or attend conferences and workshops that present innovative concepts and ideas in your field.

  • Play games that stimulate creative thinking (e.g., Charades or Pictionary).

  • Interview customers to determine how they view your organization or department. Based on this information evaluate current processes, people, and technology. Share any recommendations with your manager and devise a plan of action.

  • If you are a manager, recognize and reward employees who come up with innovative ideas.

  • Continually scan the media for interesting or unusual trends (e.g., technology). Identify one or two trends that could enhance or potentially threaten services that are currently being provided. Present your findings and recommendations to your manager.

  • Research how new technologies are being used and applied in different industries or organizations. Determine how the basic concepts could be applied in your organization. Formally present your ideas and an implementation strategy to senior management.
Recommended Courses
Additional Resource
Behavioral-Based Interviewing Questions