Critical and Analytical Thinking

CRITICAL AND ANA LYTICAL THINKING: 2023-24
Executive Program
12 Hrs
Course Objectives
Business environment has in recent times changed from being predictable to being
unpredictable and from being simple to being complex. Business Problems are seldom
structured, facing multiple challenges like sudden disruptions, operational issues, financial
risks among many others. While these problems might be unstructured and complex at the
outset, there can definitely be a structured thinking process to arrive at a sound resolution.
This course aims to impart the skill of structured thinking to enable appropriate decision
making.
Critical and Analytical Thinking – As the course name suggests, there are two keywords in
this course: Critical and Analytical.
The letter ‘C’ connotes ‘Critical’ in the context of this course and has several connotations;
the most important is that you should be skeptical about any arguments in business,
whether your own or another’s. You must look at any arguments advanced with the eye of a
critic. The point of CAT is not for you to get the “right” answer, but instead for you to present
a strong argument for whichever side you view CAT as correct.
The letter ‘A’ in CAT stands for ‘Analytical’, another extremely important element of this
course. To analyze something means to break it down and study the pieces; reach to
conclusions; understand how each piece connects to the others and finally reassemble the
pieces to get back to the conclusion.
Cross Functionality of the course: This is a cross functional course since critical and
analytical thinking is a skill any business professional must possess, specializing in any
discipline.
Action Orientation: The course is totally hands-on with students, through a workshop,
being engaged in the five steps of problem solving, through various class exercises and
activities. The course culminates with a detailed project, under which students solve an
unstructured business problem, using the 5 five steps of problem solving, as practiced in
class. Students are expected to actively participate in all activities so as to gain maximum
learning output.
Page 1 of 4
The major objectives of the course are:
a. To help students approach business problems in a critical manner

b. To help students understand the structured problem solving techniques
c. To help students consider evidence, assumptions and implications before concluding on
a solution
d. Help students understand the different ways of persuasion and use them in constructing
logically persuasive communications
e. Help students understand and apply logic in their reasoning
f. Students to understand important cognitive biases influencing judgement and decisions
g. To train students in the pyramid principles of communication, and the art of synthesis and
making recommendations
h. To give students training, practice, and feedback in the construction, presentation, and
critical evaluation of clear, concise, and well-reasoned problem solving.
We believe these skills will provide the participants with a life skill which is valuable in any
industry or function they find in their career.
COURSE OUTLINE
Modules Introduction Readings

1 Introduction to the Course and None
introduction to CAT
2 How to think critically about an issue : (1) Global Confectionery –
introducing the critical thinking framework. Case study
(2) Illustration of the framework using a
case study (Global Confectionery)
3 Multiple Approaches to decision making  Richard Paul and Linda
Elder (2014). Learning the
Why structured problem solving matters Art of Critical Thinking,
and what are its pitfalls? Rotman Management
Winter
4 Framing the problem statement – Repenning, Kiefer and Astor

-what really is the issue? (2017). The Most
-Problem structuring using the issue/ Underrated Skill in
hypothesis tree Management, MIT Sloan
Review, Vol.58, No.3,
Reprint
 #58330
Page 2 of 4
5 Case study discussion (application of Case study: Fresh to Table
CAT concepts) By: Gautam Mukunda,
Brooks C. Holtom
Product #: 917541-PDF-
ENG
6 Logical reasoning – Inductive reasoning,
Causal reasoning, reasoning by analogy,
RED model of critical thinking
7 Applying critical thinking to problem Moci J Williams. How to

solving, decision making, developing Write a Memo or Report,
logically persuasive communication: Harvard Management
Aristotle’s triangle of Persuasion, The Update, Reprint No.
Pyramid Principle, Applying the Pyramid U9711C
principle to Case study analysis,
Presentations, Mktg communications.
8 Obstacles to critical thinking: Fallacies,
Cognitive biases ,Lack of clear thinking
and communication, Rhetorical devices.
Experiential Learning: Group Work: Off Class
Peer Learning
9 Group presentations –Analysis of a case Case study : INK PPT –
study. Participants will analyze/solve the Quit or Continue. Product
case using CAT , Critical thinking #: W26611-PDF-ENG
framework, Pyramid principle.
EVALUATION
Evaluation Specific Assessment Methods / Tasks % Weighting
Quiz 30
Group Project presentation – Individual component 30
Group Project presentation - – group component 40
Total 100
Page 3 of 4
Project Details:
The class will be given a case study. They will create a problem statement, create an
issue tree and hypothesis tree, develop alternative solutions, evaluate them against
available evidence and recommends a solution or decision. They will use the Critical
thinking framework and Pyramid principle to work through the issue or decision and make a
presentation.
Presentation Parameters Ability to Logically support Ability to clearly articulate

(Individual): Understanding the arguments the
of the (10) Supporting arguments with
Business Problem (10) evidence (10)
Presentation Forming Solution/decision Articulation Quality of

Parameters the and the quality of of presentation, clarity
(Group): problem argument(s), How assumptions of thought and overall
statement, effectively does , and impact – (15)
collection evidence support implications
of relevant the argument, use
evidence of the Pyramid (15)
and its structure in making
analysis) – the presentation(25)
(15)
Page 4 of 4

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CRITICAL AND ANA LYTICAL THINKING: 2023-24

a. To help students approach business problems in a critical manner

Modules Introduction Readings

4 Framing the problem statement – Repenning, Kiefer and Astor

7 Applying critical thinking to problem Moci J Williams. How to

Evaluation Specific Assessment Methods / Tasks % Weighting

Presentation Parameters Ability to Logically support Ability to clearly articulate

Presentation Forming Solution/decision Articulation Quality of

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