Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Course with AI Support
Think Smart, Solve Smart
Think Smart, Solve Smart teaches you to recognise your own assumptions and biases, find the root cause of a problem and weigh possible solutions using structured reasoning and creative thinking. You will also learn how to build thinking habits and a problem-solving culture in your team.
14 days free, then ₹1,770 once · every course included
Quick Answer: What Is a Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Course?
A critical thinking and problem solving course teaches structured ways to examine evidence, challenge assumptions and decide what to do next. Think Smart, Solve Smart is for students, working professionals, freelancers, business owners and team leaders. It covers four thinking frameworks, creative and lateral thinking, and the habits and team practices that keep good thinking going.
What Will You Learn in This Critical Thinking Course?
Six practical outcomes drawn from the course curriculum.
Recognise the assumptions and biases that cloud your judgement, and question your first impressions before you decide.
Apply Five Whys, Socratic questioning, SWOT analysis and first principles to examine a situation from different angles.
Separate visible symptoms from deeper causes, and keep asking “why” until you reach the real problem, whether that takes three whys or ten.
Use divergent thinking to expand your ideas and convergent thinking to narrow them to a focused solution.
Ask open-ended questions like a leader, create psychological safety, teach structured problem solving and coach your team to solve problems on their own.
Use reflection routines, journaling, decision logs and peer accountability to keep improving your decisions.
Critical Thinking vs Creative Problem-Solving
| Critical Thinking | Creative Problem-Solving |
|---|---|
| Examines evidence and assumptions. | Generates fresh possibilities. |
| Tests the quality of reasoning. | Explores different approaches. |
| Assesses a decision against evidence. Example: When a product isn’t selling, critical thinking tests the assumption that “the price is too high.” Creative problem-solving explores other ways forward. Both are needed: use convergent thinking to focus deeply, and divergent thinking to expand your options. | Develops options to assess. |
Course Curriculum
Move from critical thinking fundamentals to frameworks, creative approaches and workplace applications.
- Lesson 1Think Smart, Solve SmartSee how assumptions and biases cloud judgement, and what the course will help you do about them.
- Lesson 2The Mindset of a Critical ThinkerLearn to recognise biases, evaluate evidence and examine your reasoning before deciding.
- Lesson 3Frameworks for Critical ThinkingStudy four frameworks: Five Whys for root causes, Socratic questioning for challenging assumptions, SWOT analysis for planning and informed decisions, and first principles for building from scratch instead of upgrading.
- Lesson 4Problem-Solving EssentialsDistinguish symptoms from underlying issues and practise thinking through practical responses.
- Lesson 5Creative & Lateral ThinkingLearn divergent thinking (expansive and unstructured) and convergent thinking (analytical, structured and focused), and when to use each.
- Lesson 6Real-Life Challenges & Decision-MakingExplore calm reasoning, active listening and clear boundaries in client disagreements and workplace conflicts.
- Lesson 7Building a Critical Thinking CultureMove from a “tell and do” style to asking open-ended questions, and learn how psychological safety, structured problem solving and one-on-one coaching empower your team.
- Lesson 8Action Planning & Habit BuildingBuild reflection routines, journal, record decisions in a decision log and set up peer accountability.
Worked Example: Five Whys
Situation: A friend’s car has broken down.
- 01Why did it break down?The battery died.
- 02Why did the battery die?The alternator isn’t working.
- 03Why isn’t the alternator working?Its belt wasn’t replaced at the scheduled service.
- 04Why was it missed?The maintenance reminder never came, and the service schedule broke down.
The maintenance schedule was never set properly. Replacing the battery alone would not fix the problem, so the schedule needs fixing first.
Five is a guideline, not a rule. Keep asking until you reach the root cause, whether that takes three whys or ten.
Example based on the course topics.
Who Should Take This Course?
Learn to examine information and approach academic or early-career decisions methodically.
Use structured thinking for workplace issues, planning and difficult conversations.
Learn to ask better questions, create psychological safety and help your team solve problems on their own.
Tools and Frameworks Covered
- Five Whys
- Socratic Questioning (the five W’s and one H)
- SWOT Analysis
- First Principles
- Divergent and Convergent Thinking
- Reflection Routines
- Journaling and Decision Logs
- Peer Accountability
Next Course and Related Courses
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a critical thinking and problem solving course?
Is this course suitable for beginners?
Which frameworks will I learn?
What is the difference between critical thinking and creative problem-solving?
What are open-ended questions, and why do they matter?
How do I build a critical thinking culture in my team?
Does this course teach AI tools?
How is this different from free critical thinking resources?
Better Thinking Starts with Better Questions
Learn structured reasoning, creative approaches and practical decision-making through eight self-paced lessons.
Step 1 · Start here
Step 1 · Start here
Step 2 · Build skills