This interactive two-day program is designed to help engineers and manufacturing professionals develop strong critical thinking skills essential for addressing complex technical and operational challenges. Participants will explore proven frameworks and techniques to logically analyze engineering problems, evaluate technical data objectively, and make well-reasoned decisions under pressure. Through practical exercises, industry-specific case studies, role-playing activities, and team-based problem-solving simulations, participants will learn how to identify assumptions, avoid common analytical errors, and approach engineering challenges with clarity and precision. By the end of the course, they will be equipped with practical tools and strategies to enhance decision-making, troubleshooting, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration within engineering and manufacturing environments. This HRD Corp (HRDC) Claimable Course (Previously Known as SBL-Khas) Is Delivered by a Penang-Based Training Provider Registered with HRD Corp (Formerly Known as HRDF), Specializing in Corporate Skills Development and Workforce Upskilling Across Malaysia. 100% HRD Corp Claimable | Penang Training Provider | Corporate Training Malaysia
DAY 1
Module 1: Understanding Critical Thinking in Engineering & Manufacturing
What is critical thinking? Myths vs. reality in technical environments
Importance in engineering design, production, and workplace decision-making
Core skills: Analysis, inference, evaluation, explanation, self-regulation
Group activity: Identify real-life engineering/manufacturing scenarios requiring critical thinking
Module 2: Barriers to Critical Thinking in Engineering & Manufacturing
Common barriers: bias, assumptions, emotional reasoning, groupthink in technical and production settings
Developing self-awareness of personal and team biases in engineering decisions
Case study: Identifying flawed reasoning in real-world engineering/manufacturing scenarios
Lunch
Module 3: Structured Thinking Models for Engineers
The RED Model (Recognize assumptions, Evaluate arguments, Draw conclusions) applied to technical problem-solving
Using Bloom’s Taxonomy for effective questioning in engineering and manufacturing contexts
Workshop: Apply the RED Model to an engineering or production case study
Module 4: Asking the Right Questions in Engineering & Manufacturing
Types of questions: open, probing, clarifying, reflective for technical problem-solving
Applying the Socratic Method and funnel questioning in troubleshooting and process reviews
Role-play: Leading a structured technical discussion to uncover root causes and solutions
DAY 2
Module 5: Critical Thinking in Engineering Problem-Solving
The IDEAL problem-solving framework applied to technical and operational challenges
Root cause analysis tools: Fishbone Diagram, 5 Whys for engineering and production issues
Case study exercise: Team-based solution to a complex engineering/manufacturing workplace problem
Module 6: Decision-Making Under Uncertainty in Engineering & Manufacturing
Types of decision-making: rational, intuitive, and collaborative in technical and production settings
Recognizing cognitive biases (confirmation bias, anchoring, overconfidence) in engineering judgments
Simulation activity: Group decision-making under pressure in an engineering/manufacturing scenario
Lunch
Module 7: Collaborative Critical Thinking in Engineering Teams
Applying critical thinking in engineering meetings and cross-functional collaboration
Avoiding groupthink and encouraging constructive dissent in technical discussions
Role-play: Facilitating a team debate or brainstorming session for process improvement or design solutions
Module 8: Real-Life Application Workshop
Engineering and manufacturing scenario: bring a real work-related technical or production challenge
Apply RED, IDEAL, and 5 Whys frameworks to analyze problems and propose solutions
Peer feedback and reflection to strengthen practical application and continuous improvement
