Project
managers are drivers by nature. They're not typically satisfied to hear an
issue, and simply wait for resolution to come their way. Most successful PMs
want to dig in and understand the problem they are facing, how it impacts their
project and most importantly, how to resolve it. More often than not, however, the
PM isn't the subject matter expert on the team. We rely on the knowledge and
skills of others to produce project deliverables and develop solutions. The
PM's role is predominantly to track the issues, report the impact and
facilitate resolution. It is in this facilitation where project managers can bring
value and realize the benefit of critical thinking.
Critical
thinking, in the simplest form, is the process of using logic and reasoning to
fully understand a topic and develop solutions. It's an exchange of questions
and answers designed to challenge assumptions, expose bias and foster creative
solutions. Project managers who can think this way and facilitate these types
of discussions will be able to resolve issues more quickly, develop better
solutions and reduce project stress and anxiety.
Any
project meeting where issues may be surfaced is an opportunity to leverage critical
thinking as a means to get to resolution. Begin by clarifying the issue; create
an understanding of what the problem is and how it is important to the project
goals. What is the impact to the project and overall operations if this is not
resolved. Gain an understanding of the meanings of the terms and phrases used
to describe it. Attempt to identify what assumptions or previous experiences
are being drawn upon to support the initial position. Ask for specific examples
of the evidence used to sustain the issue or stance the project team has taken.
If there is data associated with the issue, look for the source of that data,
and see if there is a way to verify that source.
Once
you feel that the team has thoroughly laid out the issue and all assumptions
have been identified and challenged, begin brainstorming solutions through a line
of creative questioning. Questions like "why can't we..." or "how
would we impact it if..." will get the team to start seeing new and
different ways to solve the problem. Ask for reasons why your suggestions will
not work and for alternatives to those suggestions. The complexity of the
questions or validity of the solutions shouldn't matter as much as the process
itself. The hope is that you'll stretch your team members thinking to pursue
opportunities to resolve the issue that they may not have considered until this
point.
Project
Managers familiar with cause/effect relationship technique called the 5 Whys
will recognize the use of asking questions to gain understanding and facilitate
resolution. The 5 Whys is a method where, when an issue is presented, the
facilitator will ask why that situation is occurring. Once answered, the facilitator continues to ask why (5 is a
guideline) to that answer until the team has a solid view of the root cause of
an issue. It is a rudimentary approach to critical thinking that helps the team
look upstream at the causes of an issue, rather than getting stuck in discussions
that can become circular and counterproductive.
Of
course, critical thinking in and of itself will not resolve your project
issues. As a PM, the next step is to apply the appropriate project discipline
to identify the most impactful action items, assign owners, set a timeline and
manage progress and status. Critical thinking will only get you to that point
faster and more effectively. However, making
these types of discussions part of your management routines in your regular
project meetings will help your team members begin to think more laterally on
their own, helping them bring creative ideas to the group, rather than just the
issue itself.
Developing
and practicing critical thinking is an effective way to help you understand the
full scope of an issue and drive out solutions faster and more effectively.
You'll be adding value as a project manager and a facilitator, and may even be
able to help your project stay on track. It's a valuable skill that can help
you not only as a project manager, but throughout your career.
Ideas for this article are based on
"The taxonomy of Socratic questions" created by Richard Paul, author
of Critical Thinking: How to Prepare Students for a Rapidly Changing World
