Applying Critical Thinking for Complex Problem Solving in Workplace: A Case Study of Tech Dynamic Pty Ltd

This article discusses the application of critical thinking for complex problem solving in the workplace using a case study of Tech Dynamic Pty Ltd. It covers the definition and characteristics of critical thinking, types of workplace problems, legislative frameworks and organisational policies, decision-making processes, and feedback register. It also includes a role-play consultation meeting and ideation session with relevant stakeholders to address the workplace conflict issue.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
Identification of the workplace issue for addressing up to the point of implementation.............8
Role play consultation meeting for discussing the issues............................................................8
Legislative frameworks and organisational policies for the issue...............................................8
Task objectives and risk associated with it..................................................................................9
Identification of the resources to handle the situation and cost...................................................9
Predetermining the solutions applying for the decision making process for selecting the viable
solution.........................................................................................................................................9
Follow the simulated workplace organizational policy in handling issues and prepare a brief
on proposed solution to present to your manager (assessor).....................................................10
Develop a feedback register to systematically record feedback. Ensure you follow
organizational policy and requirements.....................................................................................10
Feedback register.......................................................................................................................10
Meet with your CEO (your assessor) in a role-play consultation meeting to present your
solution to the issue identified and seek feedback ask for approval to solve the problem........11
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................12
Open and facilitate the ideation session with relevant stakeholders and brief the issue...........12
Using the critical thinking techniques, facilitate the session in idea generation for possible
solutions.....................................................................................................................................12
Demonstrate the application of decision-making processes to select most viable solution......13
Evaluate the solutions for advantages and limitations using critical thinking techniques.........13
Provide the solution to the relevant persons and update feedback register using the feedback
received during the ideation session..........................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

TASK 1
1. Define the term ‘critical thinking’ using your own words.
Critical thinking defines as analysis of the facts and evidences to develop judgement; it helps in
making the decision within complex situation. It is intellectually disciplined approach that
concerns with the skilfully conceptualisation and to apply the knowledge and data in order to
make the useful actions (AlMarwani, 2020). It plays a significant role for the business as it
enables them to make better decisions, as it helps in better expressing the thoughts and ideas that
incorporates with the specific strategies.
2. Outline characteristics of critical thinking
Characteristics of critical thinking involves asking queries, explaining problems, evaluating
evidences, analysing assumptions and avoiding emotional factors, avoiding oversimplifications.
All are these major attributes of critical thinking. With this one can thinks broadly and utilises
their skills and behaviour and other depositions like logic, imagination, it cooperates with
addressing the specific issue and to make better decisions in no time. Therefore, asking for
queries helps in clearing the concept as well as it creates the curiosity to learn something new
that helps in enhancing the knowledge which can assists in achieving the desired goals.
3. Identify at least five types of workplace problems.
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Work place problem acts as a hindrance for the firm to operate efficiently, it leads to major and
vulnerable consequences that affects the business profitability. Thus such problems are-
1. Cultural issue
2. Conflicts in work styles
3. Team conflicts, lack of motivation from leaders
4. Poor organisational culture, where no rewarding, employee appraisal approaches are
found
5. Lack of integrity, transparency and no job security
There is some other problem as well like no arrangement for skill development training at
workplace and no suitable working condition all affects the organisational working approach and
often face the higher rate in employee turnover.
4. Outline legislative frameworks and organisational policy or procedures applicable to
identified workplace problem.
For addressing the problem like culture issue, transparency, job security, integrity, conflicts in
employees the suitable legislative frameworks are Work health and safety, business ethics,
employment law fair work act 2009, workplace gender equality act 2012, privacy act 1988
(Nussbaum and et.al 2021). There should be a proper organisational policy like to treat everyone
equally and have fair pay approach helps in addressing the workplace problem. Like fair work
act is about flexible working arrangement for employee, gender equality as fair and equal
treatment to both male and females or others.
5. Identify and briefly explain:
a. critical and techniques
b. creative thinking techniques.

A) Critical is analysis of the available evidences and arguments, where it is the curiosity
or eagerness of the one to solve the particular problem. techniques are approaches that
are made to incorporate with scientific procedures to carrying out any particular task.
B) Its techniques are to proceed with identify the problem and other factors that influence
the situation. Researching is another technique to search for information source to
evaluate the problem. Determining biases, inference helps in drawing best conclusion
by using the information.
6. Describe advantages and risks in the development of solutions for identified workplace
problems.
If the organisation does not comply with the laws and other policies, then they have to pay the
higher penalties for their step. As for not following the gender equality, work place healthy
and fair work act within the work place system then there is more probability that business
will face legal actions. As fair work act, work place safety helps the firm to cultivate the
culture where every employee is treated equally, it is advantageous for the productive
business as well as helps in increasing retention rate for business.
7. Explain decision-making processes including barriers to effective decision-making.
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Decision making process, is concerns with taking the better decision which address the
specific situation as well as desired goal alignment. For the business it plays an significant
role to take the decisions that gives the positive impact over the business performance. There
are some barriers to decisions which are lack of resources, inappropriate data and too many
options are there which cause the ambiguity (Ericson, 2022). Other barriers are time
constraints, bounded rationality.
8. Outline sources of relevant information to identified issue, including desk research and
stakeholder consultations
For identifying the workplace problem suitable information can be taken from databases,
books, internet, journal articles. Stakeholder consultation is also involving where the
information is collected from the employees and other relevant stakeholder that helps in
providing the details about the issue which they have been facing within the organisation.
9. Explain what are organisational requirements for development and presentation of a brief
and feedback register.
It involves the resources for giving the presentation where it discussed the issues that is
identified, video presentation, document naming, filing procedures are required for the
development and presentation of the brief. For the feedback register, there should be inclusion
of organisational policies as feedback register helps in constructing the strategies and to make
effectual decisions for the business.

10. Explain approval process for workplace solution.
Approval process which automates the actions that are approved from the authorities. For an
organisation to conduct any activity it is required to get approval from it (Nehrt, 2018). for an
instance if marketing department is going to host the event then they have to take the approval
from finance department for the use of resources. it involves the process that are submission
to submit the work, permission from authority, due dates, records and logs.
TASK 2
Identification of the workplace issue for addressing up to the point of implementation
As per the given case study of Tech Dynamic pty Ltd, it is found that they are facing the
problems like conflicts within workplace, leadership disagreement, cultural disagreements, lack
of integrity, ineffective training and development programs. Thus workplace conflict is the major
issue which is highlighted and it is required to address promptly in order to incorporates with the
desired organisational goals and objectives. To address this problem there should be proper
follow of organisational policies, to actively listen to both parties and to write down all the
thoughts that helps in carrying out better solution for resolving the conflicts.
Role play consultation meeting for discussing the issues
For this meeting there are two major people where one is discussing the issues to the
assessor. Thus the meeting details are as follows:
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Issue identifier: I have identified the major issues that the firm is facing
CEO: What are those issues
Issue identifier: Leadership disagreement, lack of transparency, team conflicts are the major
issues which is acting as a barrier for the organisational productivity.
CEO: How can we address this as it is giving negative impact over the business, according to
you what is the major issue which we need to address immediately
Issue identifier: Conflicts among team is the major issue as it is the main root for every problem,
as employees are disagreed with their employers.
Therefore, from overall meeting conversation organisational conflict is the main issue
which is identified.
Legislative frameworks and organisational policies for the issue
There should be proper follow up of legal and corporate policies to avoid any kind of miserable
situations (Plotnikova and Strukov, 2019). As the main reason for the conflicts is personal
behaviour, individual concern, organisational issues also if there is no transparency at workplace
and discrimination at work place cause the conflicts among the team members. Therefore, for
addressing the issue fair work act, anti-discrimination and equality act is applicable which assists
in managing the people equally and often decreases the chances for the conflicts.
 Fair work act 2009, for the employees as it encompasses with the specific rights as
workplace rights for employees, right to be independent from unlawful discrimination.
 Anti-discrimination act 2004, it helps in preventing any kind of discrimination as it
protects from gender, age discrimination.
Task objectives and risk associated with it
Main objective is to address the work place conflict issue, as it is acting as the major
barrier for the smooth running of the business. Work place conflicts affects the business
productivity where the organisation is not able to move further and if they do not consider it then
they also faced the higher turnover which gives the negative impact over the business. Therefore,
the risks which are involved in work place conflict as it gives the negative impact over the
mental health of employees, affects the decision making process, employee turnover and
termination are the risks that is associated with the organisational conflict issue.

Identification of the resources to handle the situation and cost
Major roles in conflict resolution is played by the Human resource team as they are trained and
skilled in handling the conflicts among the employees. In such it is important for conducting the
training and development arrangement for the employees and to teach them about the
organisational policies so they cooperate with it, it helps in decreasing the conflict chances as
every individual understands their responsibility and abide with the laws and policies (Héliot and
et.al 2020). Therefore, budget is required for conducting the training and development program
for the employees, equipment cost and other expenditures.
Predetermining the solutions applying for the decision making process for selecting the viable
solution
Decision making is the crucial process for the business as it is aligned with the
organisational objectives and desired goals (SALVATION, 2019). Thus for addressing the
workplace conflict first initiates with searching to gather the evidences and to collect the relevant
information that helps in making the better decision, weighing the evidences, write down all
alternative decisions and select the one which is appropriate in every aspect whether it is related
to budget and risk concerns.
Follow the simulated workplace organizational policy in handling issues and prepare a brief on
proposed solution to present to your manager (assessor).
As per the case study, it has been clarified that the Tech Dynamic organization is facing various
issues at their workplace where they have to implement the policies in handling the issues where
a proper solution can be proposed to the manager of the company. The company is required to
implement the organizational policy where it includes Privacy Act 1988, Anti-discrimination
1977, reduction of the conflicts between the employee at the workplace and even policy in regard
to managing the organizational behaviour and culture from which the employee of the company
can stay comfortable and can promote the positive working environment (Harris and Terry,
2019).
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Develop a feedback register to systematically record feedback. Ensure you follow organizational
policy and requirements.
Feedback register
Very satisfied Satisfied Neutral Unsatisfied
How satisfied are
you with
organization
behaviour?
How satisfied are
you with
company
policies?
How satisfied are
you with our
team?
Tell us how can we improvement
Meet with your CEO (your assessor) in a role-play consultation meeting to present your
solution to the issue identified and seek feedback ask for approval to solve the
problem
Issues Solution Feedback 1 Feedback 2
Conflict at workplace The conflicts at the
workplace can be
reduced by organizing
weekend events and
function and
CEO of the company
has agreed with the
solution.
Shareholder of the
company is partially
agreed where they
think the company
needs to adopt more

encouraging the team
to work collectively
will lower down the
disputes and conflicts
effectively.
activities and efforts
in relation to reduce
the conflicts at
workplace.
Leadership
disagreement
A company can run
definitely when the
leader is responsible
and excellent in
managing the team
members (Al Hudib
and Cousins, 2020).
The leader should
regularly communicate
with their team
members and should
conduct personal
meeting where the
team members can
share their views and
issues accordingly.
CEO of the Tech
Dynamic disagree with
the solution where
they stated that the
leadership quality is
important more
efficiently not
communicating
regularly will help
them to solve the
issue.
Shareholders also
agree with the CEO
statement and wants to
encourage the
motivation of the
employee from where
the staff and employee
can easily interact and
put their speech.
However, in the consultation meeting there are different types of feedback has been taken and
obtained from which it becomes necessary to solve them in effective manner. The major issues
have been discusser over the meeting where the solutions were also raised by the CEO and
shareholders of the company which can help the organization to reduce the issues respectively.
TASK 3
Open and facilitate the ideation session with relevant stakeholders and brief the issue
The company Tech Dynamic is facing the major issues in the organization where the company is
not able to obtain the effective result and outcome at definite level. The company supports
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business, mobile strategies, design, development and promotion which is located at Australia.
Being a team leader of the IT projects, I have to manage the appropriate solutions and risks at the
workplace from where the problems can be solved in definite manner (Ost, Blalock, Fagan,
Sweene and et.al., 2020). At the workplace, the conflict's resolution takes place where the
employee and staff members are not able to engaged with the team members in efficient manner
which provides the dispute and conflicts among them. Being a leader, I m responsible for
conducting a session where I can know about the issues and problems which is faced by the Tech
Dynamic organization where a proper and relevant solution is required to be considered. Also,
the company faces the organizational issues which covers the leadership disagreement and
conflicts in working styles which provides the bad impact on the employee and company
performance as well where it becomes significant to solve and reduce these problems as soon as
possible.
Using the critical thinking techniques, facilitate the session in idea generation for possible
solutions.
The managing director of the company named John Smith has organized and announce a staff
meeting where the critical thinking and a discussion took place is regard to reduce the different
types of issues and problems. Accordingly, the company can utilize the technological tools
where these are becoming the powerful weapon and tool for the many companies including the
Tech Dynamic where the effective outcome can be received easily (Einarsen, Hoel, Zapf and
Cooper, 2020). A digital revolution can provide the huge change at the workplace and can
effectively support the company to manage their issues and risk at the workplace and can
accelerate the expansion of innovative digital platforms. Using the digital tools like 5g networks
and application which will enable the management and employee to communicate through the
channels like messages, mails and other applications which will give a chance and possibility to
the company to interact and communicate with each other in definite manner from where the
employee can be able to transfer their speech accordingly. Also, the company is facing the
leadership disagreement issues where the leader of the team is required to improve and enhance
their working abilities from which they can easily manage and handle the team work and their
members from where only the tasks will be completed accordingly. For this, the company can
organize and conduct a training sessions and programs for the leaders where they can enhance
their leadership skill which will be beneficial for the leader and company as well (Lempp,

Blackwood and Gordon, 2020). Along with this, in some cases personal issues of the team
members and employee also leads them to do not perform the task in proper and accurate manner
and made them to do the errors which impacts their work and their performance in wider
manner. However, the company has to use the technological tools like projector for training, 5g
networks for communicating and an emotional support by organize some events at workplace to
divert the mind set of the employee suffering from their personal issues and problems.
Demonstrate the application of decision-making processes to select most viable solution
The company is required to implement the decision-making process where according to the
above recommended solutions using the technological tools is viable and accurate to obtain the
effective outcome. Using the AI and technological tools will allow and ensure the team members
of the company to feel comfortable accordingly.
Evaluate the solutions for advantages and limitations using critical thinking techniques.
Advantages Disadvantages
 Ability to work clearly and purposely  Provides and accelerate
misunderstandings
 Helps to analyse the information
accurately
 Lack of detailed knowledge
 Reasonable judgements  Loss of opportunities
Provide the solution to the relevant persons and update feedback register using the feedback
received during the ideation session.
The company Tech Dynamic has to develop a feedback register where they can systematically
record the feedbacks of the employee and can obtain profitable outcome. By following the
organizational policy and requirements it will allow the employee, customer, clients and external
stakeholder to get the result in effective manner. The term feedback simply means as a written or
oral view point of an individual in regard to any specific subject and circumstances where the
individual is facing issue or agree with the situation where if the negative comments occurs then
it should be resolved by the management accordingly (Chia, Lim and et.al., 2019). A feedback
management team should be prepared and develop who will be responsible for taking the
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feedbacks and implements the improvement on such areas. Also, the feedback should be taken
from various and different sources as the individual feels comfortable. Here, updating the
feedback register for further information.
Very satisfied Satisfied Neutral Unsatisfied
How satisfied are
you with
organization
behaviour?
How satisfied are
you with
company
policies?
How satisfied are
you with our
team?
Tell us how can we improvement
As per the above mentioned feedback report it has been evaluated that employee is neutrally
satisfied with the organizational behaviour where the company needs to put and implements
some actions from where the employee can easily satisfy in definite manner. For improving the
organizational behaviour a proper communication, motivation and encouragement should be
delivered by the people named Tom, Nash and Bob who are the team leaders of the Software
development. Also, the employee has stated that they are satisfied with the organizational
policies where the company do not have to change and modify the maximum amount of policies
and can obtain effective outcome. In addition, employee voted their vote as dissatisfied in
regard with team members and management where the conflicts between the team member take
place which puts the bad impact on the company and employee performance. However, the
company person Mary (Assistant) and Tony, Daisy, Frank (Project manager) has to implement

some actions to reduce the workplace conflict's accordingly.
REFERENCES
Books and journals
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building: Application of an ecological framework across cultural contexts. Journal of
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AlMarwani, M., 2020. Pedagogical potential of SWOT analysis: An approach to teaching critical
thinking. Thinking Skills and Creativit. 38. p.100741.
Chia, G., Lim, S.M., and et.al., 2019. Need for a new workplace safety and health (WSH)
strategy for the fourth industrial revolution. American journal of industrial
medicine. 62(4), pp.275-281.
Einarsen, S.V., Hoel, H., Zapf, D. and Cooper, C.L. eds., 2020. Bullying and harassment in the
workplace: Theory, research and practice. CRC Press.
Ericson, J.D., 2022. Mapping the relationship between critical thinking and design
thinking. Journal of the Knowledge Economy. 13(1). pp.406-429.
Harris, A.J. and Terry, K.J., 2019. Child sexual abuse in organizational settings: a research
framework to advance policy and practice. Sexual Abuse. 31(6), pp.635-642.
Héliot, Y. and et.al 2020. Religious identity in the workplace: A systematic review, research
agenda, and practical implications. Human Resource Management. 59(2). pp.153-173.
Lempp, F., Blackwood, K. and Gordon, M., 2020. Exploring the efficacy of mediation in cases
of workplace bullying. International Journal of Conflict Management.
Nehrt, C.C., 2018. Integrating Knowledge and Developing Critical Thinking in a Capstone
International Business Course: A Never-Ending Work in Progress. Journal of Teaching in
International Business. 29(4). pp.289-332.
Nussbaum, M. and et.al 2021. Taking critical thinking, creativity and grit online. Educational
Technology Research and Development. 69(1). pp.201-206.
Ost, K., Blalock, C., Fagan, M., Sweene and et.al., 2020. Aligning organizational culture and
infrastructure to support evidence-based practice. Critical Care Nurse. 40(3), pp.59-63.
Plotnikova, N.F. and Strukov, E.N., 2019. Integration of teamwork and critical thinking skills in
the process of teaching students. Cypriot journal of educational sciences. 14(1). pp.1-10.
SALVATION, M.D., 2019. Communication and Conflict Resolution in the Workplace. Dev
Sanskriti Interdisciplinary International Journal. 13. pp.25-46.
Online references
A, B., 2018. [Online]. Available through <>
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