Critical Thinking for Effective Outcomes

CRITICAL THINKING PAGE 2 Critical Thinking for Effective Outcomes  Concepts and Tools  Practitioner:  CAPT Jamie Engdahl, PM, Precision Strike Weapons  COL Mike Sloane, PM, Soldier, Sensors and Lasers  Lt Col Jeffrey Hamblin, Chief, F-15 Foreign Military Sales

CRITICAL THINKING PAGE 3 Think. Think. The first responsibility of the acquisition workforce is to think. We need to be true professionals who apply our education, training, and experience through analysis and creative, informed, thought to address our daily decisions. Our workforce should be encouraged by leaders to think and not to default automatically to a perceived “school solution” just because it is expected to be approved more easily. Mr. Frank Kendall The Optimal Program Structure ATL Magazine, July 2012 Think … don’t default to “school solutions.”

CRITICAL THINKING PAGE 4 Critical Thinking—The art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it. —Paul and Elder Critical Thinking is NOT something you add to everything you do… It is the way (attitude and skill) you do everything.

CRITICAL THINKING PAGE 5 Improving Critical Thinking Critical thinkers routinely apply intellectual standards to the elements of reasoning in order to develop intellectual traits. The Standards Clarity Accuracy Relevance Logic Breadth Precision Significance Completeness Fairness Depth The Elements Purposes Questions Points of view Information Inferences Concepts Implications Assumptions Intellectual Traits Intellectual humility Intellectual autonomy Intellectual integrity Intellectual courage Intellectual Perseverance Confidence in reason Intellectual empathy Fairmindedness Must be applied to As we learn to develop The Foundation for Critical Thinking

CRITICAL THINKING PAGE 6 Elements of Reasoning In attempting to answer a question We think for a purpose Within a point of view Based on assumptions Leading to implications and consequences We use data, facts, and experiences To make inferences and judgments Based on concepts and theories IT DEPENDS

CRITICAL THINKING PAGE 7 Preventing Acquisition Malpractice  Transitioning from development to production— traditionally one of the most difficult challenges for any program  “Acquisition Malpractice” – Optimistic predictions that no problems would occur in test flights – Lack of precision in modeling and simulation – Tendency to start production too early (e.g., before first test flight – Results in paying a higher price for being wrong Mr. Frank Kendall The Optimal Program Structure Defense News, Feb 2012

CRITICAL THINKING PAGE 8 Critical Thinking Within Defense Acquisition  What is the purpose of the Defense Acquisition Workforce?  What key questions should we be asking as acquisition professionals (that should drive our analysis)?  What information should we use to determine how we should approach decisions?  What other viewpoints should we consider when defining the problem or making a decision?  What key ideas or concepts should guide our analysis?  If we make a decision, what are the important implications for our warfighters?  What should we assume, or take for granted, about what it means to be an acquisition professional

CRITICAL THINKING PAGE 9 Critical Thinking: Thinking Driven by Questions Instead of Answers  Questions expand discussions and invite participation.  Answers on the other hand, often signal a full stop in thought.  More time should be spent on understanding and examining the question/problem. Question: How do we maintain air dominance? Answer: The next generation aircraft is…

CRITICAL THINKING PAGE 10 Creating a Culture of Critical Thinking Knowledge is not enough to create wisdom Effective Outcomes Ability to acquire and apply the best knowledge Willingness to assess and improve thinking skills

CRITICAL THINKING PAGE 11 Critical Thinking for Effective Outcomes  Practitioners:  CAPT Jamie Engdahl PM, Precision Strike Weapons  COL Mike Sloane PM, Soldier, Sensors & Lasers  Lt Col Jeffrey Hamblin Chief, F-15 FMS

CRITICAL THINKING PAGE 12 Questions Because the acquisition of capabilities and services is a weapon of war no less significant than the warfighter who uses the capabilities and services to protect our country.

CRITICAL THINKING PAGE 13 Backup

CRITICAL THINKING PAGE 14 Critical Thinking Skills InterpretationExplanation AnalysisEvaluation Self-regulationInference

CRITICAL THINKING PAGE 15 How Do You Assess Your Thinking? Three Dimensions of Critical Thinking Critical Thinking Analysis of thinking by focusing on the parts Improvement of thinking by using what you learned Evaluation of thinking by focusing on the standards