CyberGuide
Tools for Thought
FROM:
NOV-DEC 2004 ISSUE | BY
ROBIN DAY
Contrary to what you might believe after reading the daily news, thinking comes naturally to all of us. Even when you think about nothing, you are still thinking. Now before you ponder that one for too long, recall the thinking involved in strategic planning. Wouldn't it be helpful to have some tools to help you think through life's bigger challenges? Here are a few aids designed to make thinking just a little easier.
www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_07.htm
The Six Thinking Hats technique developed by Edward de Bono helps people look at problems from a variety of perspectives. This technique can reduce conflict in planning sessions by allowing participants to see where others are coming from.
http://www.mind-map.com/EN/
Mind Mapping was developed by Tony Buzan in the late '60s as a technique to unlock the brain's potential. Mind maps are particularly useful to break a large subject into smaller chunks.
http://www.businessmajors.about.com/cs/casestudyhelp/a/SWOT.htm
SWOT analysis is often associated with marketing planning, but it can be effective in other areas as well. The process of examining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats can even be applied to career planning as you take inventory of your resume.
http://www.aaai.org/AITopics/html/trees.html
Decision trees are highly structured and logical, making them easy to interpret and apply. Visualize a tree with multiple branches representing questions. As you answer each question, you move to the next branch, eventually arriving at a logical decision based on your series of answers.
These are but a few of the many useful tools available to help you through challenging thinking exercises. Each site provides some excellent food for thought!
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Robin Day, MBA, CGA, teaches financial management at the
British Columbia Institute of Technology. He is also president of Virtual Information
Technologies Inc.E-mailrday@virtualit.ca.