It’s the thought that counts, goes the old saying – and that’s certainly true in engineering. Ours is such a precise industry that meticulous planning is vital to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Yet many folks don’t realise the importance of “critical thinking” and how much difference it makes to get the job done efficiently and correctly the first time. So what is it, why do we need it, and how can we all apply it properly?
All is revealed in a new ESD training course, Critical Thinking, designed by corporate troubleshooter and chemical engineer Howard Thomas, a senior process consultant. And when Howard answered the following questions on our recent Podcast, he certainly got us thinking…
What is critical thinking?
It’s the pursuit of hard evidence and applying it rigorously. Rather than leaving anything to chance or taking a best guess, with critical thinking you gather information and rigorously analyze it – and check, check, and check again. In the world of engineering, that means measure, calculate, gather accurate data and trends, and understand and visualize what those things tell you.
Why does engineering need critical thinking?
When it comes to any type of business, many people brought in to make the decisions don’t necessarily have a lot of on-the-ground expertise or hands-on industry experience. Engineering is no exception and this can lead to flawed projects and productivity issues.
However, that can be solved with critical thinking, a skill which enables everyone, whatever their level of industry experience, to look systematically at problems and challenges, and address root causes rather than symptoms.
Where might we lack critical thinking?
When we bring biases or mistaken beliefs into the process. An obvious example is the climate change debate. Global warming is a solid fact, yet biases mean short-term priorities tend to overshadow how we prevent the long-term consequences. While in engineering, there’s the energy transition debate and what Howard calls “the misplaced emphasis” on hydrogen as a fuel source, without practical evidence supporting its viability.
So how can we learn to think critically?
By separating fact from fiction, hypotheses from theories, and theories from practice. Critical thinkers question assumptions and seek evidence to understand why things happen – or don’t happen. Blocking out all the surrounding noise and seeking out information purposefully doesn’t just help you focus on what’s important. It also determines what’s true.
How do we block out that noise?
Thinking critically means focusing on facts, not opinions. Facts are measurable and supported by data – so always verify the source and look for hard evidence of a root cause rather than mere correlation. Getting into this habit stops us relying on hearsay or unsupported claims.
Is this the same as creative thinking?
No – it’s the opposite! Creative thinking can be a very valuable skill in itself, generating ideas and hypotheses. But critical thinking proves whether those ideas will work, by narrowing them down to practical and sound solutions. Unfortunately, as humans we often default to creative thinking because it’s easier. But especially in engineering, we need to do the harder work of analysis – which is why developing a habit of critical thinking is so important.
What does ESD’s critical thinking course involve?
One of the best ways to master critical thinking is through practical, hands-on learning. ESD’s simulation training course teaches this through a board game, which encourages discussion and helps participants learn from each other. It develops skills to be open-minded, to evaluate solutions and build good critical thinking habits. And those habits can make a huge difference to your business.
If you’d like to learn more about the course, visit www.ESDsimulation.com And don’t forget to tune into our podcast: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/6696a51513ea555fe3519605