In this column, specific attention has mainly been given to critical and creative thinking during the past weeks.

Productive thinking is the third component of CCPT.

Like both critical and creative thinking, productive thinking seeks positive, appropriate outcomes and if possible superior solution to a problematic situation.

“Productive” in this instance means more than just coming up with any type of suitable result. Instead, the ultimate outcome or final product must be highly relevant and appropriate to addressing a specific issue.

The end result of productive thinking could also be creative, innovative, novel and extremely beneficial. It must be the best possible result!

Productive thinking demands that one must not be satisfied with the norm and the obvious but instead must strive to lift the bar and aim for the best, maximum, quality solution.

MENTAL CANVASES

Just like a great artist who readily discards old, half-finished canvases in the quest for that perfect portrait, a productive thinker will repeatedly throw out many incomplete “mental canvasses” until he reaches that point of ultimate satisfaction with what has been produced.

Productive thinking with preparation, with gathering and collating information.

It then moves to the development stage where data and detail connect and potential solutions begin to flow forth forming a concept canvas. The obvious begins to emerge fairly quickly and then the pursuit of the out-of-the-box possibilities commences.

From this exercise, there usually evolves a short list of solutions, each compared and weighed for its advantages.

At this point, the opinion of at least one other person should be sought as part of a secondary, external, validation and confirmation procedure.

If this is the case, not only will a superior solution be the end result of effective productive thinking but also enormous personal self-satisfaction will arise in knowing that the very best outcome has been achieved.

STRIVED

In 4S-AEP, the acronym “STRIVED” is used to reinforce the attributes relevant to productive thinking.

Self-Confident, sequential, sensible, self-belief, substance, synthesizing
Thorough, truthful, thoughtful, tolerant, telescopic, temperate
Rational, reflective, reliable, reasonable, relentless, resourceful
Independent, inquisitive, impartial, informative, innovative, inventive
Validating, verifying, valuing, vocal, visionary, vested
Empathetic, evaluating, encompassing, exploring, evidential, even-handed
Disciplined, determined, deductive, discerning, delving, dedicated

THE CCPT PROCESS

Setting the objective criteria - Determine exactly what decision has to be made
Gathering data and details - Use historic, technical artifacts and provided data
Commence analyzing process - Set aside one’s own cognitive and personal biases
Listing associated factors - List all possible factors in alphabetical order
Connecting related concepts - Restructure factors based on their relationship
Visual concept mapping - Create a Sets & Logic – concept mapping diagram
Applying validation procedures - Verify data and details as to their validity
Exchanging information - Share information to expand on data and verification
Interviewing and enquiring - Conduct one-on-one interview/s
Making assumptions - predicting - Draft initial opinions and reactions
Rational assessment - Set down reasons for one’s anticipated judgment
Pragmatic options - List additional practical reasons for one’s decision/s
Value rating - Rate the importance of the deciding factors
Conclusion and judgment - Record the final decision