Critical thinking begins when you question beyond what is given. You want to know more: how something happens, why it happens, and further what will happen if something changes.   Critical thinking therefore requires a conscious level of processing, analysis, creation and evaluation of possible outcomes, and reflection.

If you’re a critical thinker, you think. ….No surprise …. You are willing to examine your beliefs, assumptions, and opinions and weigh them against facts. You are willing to evaluate the generalizations and stereotypes you have created and are open to change, if necessary.

Critical thinkers listen carefully. If you’re a critical thinker, you listen carefully to what others are saying and are able to give feedback. You are able to suspend judgment until all the facts have been gathered and considered.

Critical thinkers look for evidence…. If you’re a critical thinker, you look for evidence to support your assumptions and beliefs. You examine problems closely and are able to reject information that is incorrect or irrelevant.

Through experience, as a critical thinker you will: identify arguments and break them down to basic components for evaluation. construct alternative interpretations explore diverse perspectives change personal assumptions when presented with valid information ask difficult questions and the ability to receptive to opposing viewpoints.

Self-directed teams develop in four (4) stages *. Forming Storming Norming Performing *From work by Bruce Tuckman, “Developmental Sequence in Small Groups,” Psychological Bulletin, 1965, vol. 63, No. 6, pp.384-99.

The key components of FORMING are: High dependence on leader for guidance and direction. Little agreement on team aims other than received from leader. Individual roles and responsibilities are unclear and there are lots of questions.

The key components of STORMING are: Decisions don't come easily within group. Plenty of uncertainties persist. Cliques and factions form and there may be power struggles. Compromises may be required to enable progress.

The key components of NORMING are: Agreement and consensus largely forms among team. Roles and responsibilities are clear and accepted. Big decisions are made by group agreement. Smaller decisions may be delegated to individuals or small teams within group. Commitment and unity is strong. The team may engage in FUN and social activities.

The key components of PERFORMING are: The team has a shared vision The team has a high degree of autonomy; team does not need to be instructed or assisted. Disagreements occur but now they are resolved within the team positively. The team is able to work towards achieving the goal.

What’s the point of all of this? Understanding these stages of growth will keep you from overreacting to normal problems – particularly those that occur in the “storming” phase. Understanding these phases can be helpful in terms of benchmarking good team behavior.

Good Objectives are SMART. They specify HOW to meet goal. Specific – so that you know what final product should look like Measurable – try to find ways to quantify the objective Agreed to – performance standards are mutually agreed on* Realistic – this is where flexibility comes in Time Constrained – have a specific deadline

“The Devil is in the Details” – Defining the SCOPE Cartoon from http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/j/jurors.asp

Scope is ALL Products and Services to be produced within the project, i.e deliverables, and helps achieve the “M” in SMART objectives. Constraints affect the SCOPE. Examples of Deliverables: Wheel chair rocker plans Swiss Cheese Parachute Presentation and recommendation on assigned topic Take a couple of minutes to write down the deliverables for your project.

Critical thinkers are curious. They are interested in knowing all there is about a topic. They look for new and better ways to do everything. They are not the person who will settle for” …because that is the way we have always done it.”