Home / Accredited / QCTO Skills Programmes / Occupational Skills Programme: Effective Problem Solving and Decision Making – SP-250803
Quick Look Course Summary:Occupational Skills Programme: Effective Problem Solving and Decision Making – SP-250803
-
Length: 3 day(s)
-
Price (at your venue): 1 Person R 21,125 EX VAT 3 Person R 13,658 EX VAT 10 Person R 9,124 EX VAT
-
Certification Type:Accredited
-
Locations & Venues: Off-site or in-house. We train in all major city centres throughout South Africa.
Get Free & personalised
Training Advice
Occupational Skills Programme: Effective Problem Solving and Decision Making – SP-250803
Staff who define problems precisely, find the real cause, choose the best solution and check that it worked – with a QCTO certificate at NQF Level 4.
Every team loses time to problems that are half diagnosed, decisions made on instinct and solutions nobody checks. This accredited problem solving course – the Occupational Skills Programme: Effective Problem Solving and Decision Making (SP-250803, NQF Level 4, 8 credits) – gives employees a repeatable method: define the problem from verified information, analyse it with the right tool, generate options, decide, implement to a plan and evaluate the result, involving the right stakeholders at each step.
The QCTO programme document names critical thinking, logical reasoning and stakeholder collaboration as the skills it builds, and links better decisions to fewer costly errors. Learners practise root cause analysis, 5Ws and 1H, fishbone diagrams, brainstorming and mind mapping, SWOT analysis and six thinking hats, and continuous improvement cycles such as PDCA and DMAIC, on realistic workplace problems.
The programme was developed with the Services SETA as Quality Partner and replaces unit standard 242817, Solve problems, make decisions and implement solutions. It runs over three consecutive days and ends in a two-hour written assessment set, run and moderated by BOTI under QCTO rules.
Why this course
For your organisation
- Fewer recurring problems – staff learn to find causes, not symptoms
- Faster, better-reasoned decisions at operational level
- Solutions implemented to a plan with objectives, a timeline and resources, then checked
- A common problem-solving language across teams and departments
- Stakeholders and role-players involved at the right points
For your delegates
- A QCTO skills programme certificate: 8 credits at NQF Level 4
- A toolkit of analysis and decision-making tools you can use the next day
- Practice on realistic workplace scenarios
- A clear, structured way to present a problem and a recommendation to your manager
What delegates will be able to do
- Identify a workplace problem and tell its symptoms from its root causes
- Write a clear, specific problem statement from verified information
- Investigate a problem with an accepted analysis technique such as root cause analysis, 5Ws and 1H or a fishbone diagram
- Generate a range of solutions with creative-thinking techniques and evaluate their suitability
- Select the most appropriate solution with decision-making tools such as SWOT analysis or six thinking hats
- Plan and implement the solution with clear objectives, a timeline and resources
- Monitor the implementation, evaluate its effectiveness and take corrective action
- Consult and involve stakeholders and role-players at each stage
Who should attend
Employees, supervisors, team leaders, first-line and junior managers, operations planners and managers who solve operational problems and make day-to-day decisions, and teams that want a shared, structured approach to problem solving. Entry requirement: an NQF Level 3 qualification with literacy, as set in the QCTO programme document. Learners who do not hold it may gain access through recognition of prior learning (RPL) instead.
Course outline
Day 1 – Defining and investigating problems
Principles and practices of problem solving (Knowledge Module 900467-000-00-KM-01, 4 credits)
- What a problem is, and symptoms versus root causes in typical workplace problems
- Identifying and defining a problem from verified information
- Writing a clear, specific problem statement
- Why stakeholders and role-players are involved in solving problems
Investigating the problem
- Root cause analysis
- The 5Ws and 1H
- Fishbone (cause-and-effect) analysis
- Choosing the right analysis technique for the problem
Critical and creative thinking
- Critical thinking and logical reasoning at work
- Brainstorming, mind mapping and brainwriting
- Generating a range of options before judging them
Day 2 – Deciding and implementing
Decision-making tools
- SWOT analysis
- Six thinking hats
- Pros-and-cons lists and other evaluation criteria
- Selecting the most relevant and suitable solution
Solve problems, make decisions and implement solutions (Practical Module 900467-000-00-PM-01, 4 credits)
- Agreeing an implementation plan with objectives, a timeline and allocated resources
- Implementation and continuous improvement cycles: PDCA, DMAIC and similar
- Monitoring progress and taking corrective action to keep the plan on track
- Evaluating whether the solution worked
- Consulting and involving stakeholders and role-players throughout
Day 3 – Practical simulation and final assessment
Practical simulation
- Working a realistic workplace problem from definition to evaluation
- Presenting the problem statement, analysis and recommended solution
- Feedback and consolidation before the final assessment
Final Integrated Supervised Assessment (FISA)
- Written, scenario-based assessment of up to two hours
- Marked out of 100; pass mark 50%
- May be written on computer; online sittings are recorded
How it is delivered
Three consecutive days, 08:30-16:00: days 1 and 2 cover the knowledge and practical modules with continuous assessment, and day 3 is a practical simulation followed by the two-hour final assessment. There is no workplace module. Training runs at your offices anywhere in South Africa, at BOTI's venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg, or live online, for one learner or a group of up to about 20. Learner material is provided.
What our clients say
“[The organisation] confirms that BOTI delivered the contracted services over the 24-month period, and we have no hesitation in recommending Business Optimization Training Institute (Pty) Ltd to any organisation seeking a similar e-Learning or skills development solution.”
“Throughout both interventions, BOTI demonstrated a high level of professionalism, subject matter expertise, and commitment to quality training delivery. Their ability to effectively manage virtual learning environments and engage participants contributed significantly to the success of the programmes.”
“The training was presented through an interesting and easy-to-use online platform, and we were impressed by its quality.”
Frequently asked questions
Is this problem solving course accredited?
Yes. It is a QCTO occupational skills programme (SP-250803, NQF Level 4, 8 credits), and BOTI is accredited by the QCTO to deliver it (07-QCTO/SDP040926111631, valid to 26 August 2031). The QCTO issues the certificate. The last date for enrolment is 13 August 2031.
How is it assessed?
Continuously through assignments, tests and scenarios, with a formal assessment at the end of each module. The final assessment is a two-hour written paper built on real workplace scenarios, marked out of 100, with a pass mark of 50%.
Are there entry requirements?
Yes. Learners need an NQF Level 3 qualification with literacy, as set in the QCTO programme document. Learners with relevant experience who do not hold that qualification may gain access through recognition of prior learning (RPL) instead.
Can you run it at our offices?
Yes. We run it at your premises anywhere in South Africa, at BOTI's venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg, or live online, for one learner or a group of up to about 20.
Is there a non-accredited version?
Yes. BOTI's Problem Solving and Decision Making Training Course and Creative Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Course cover the subject without the QCTO assessment; delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance.
Get your price – the more delegates, the less each pays
Change the options to see your price per person, then email yourself the quote and course outline.
Contact us now – we reply within 15 minutes during office hours
Monday to Friday, 08:00–17:00. After hours, we reply on the next working day – or call 011 882 8853.