Critical Thinking for Modern Work

Module 1: Problem framing and question design

• Define the real problem scope, stakeholders, constraints
• Turn vague goals into testable questions
• Clarify assumptions and unknowns
• Choose a thinking approach exploration, diagnosis, or decision

Module 2: Bias awareness and mental models

• Recognize frequent biases anchoring, confirmation, sunk cost
• Use simple debiasing moves red team, base rates, premortem
• Apply core models second order effects, incentives, systems view
• Build a shared checklist to slow down fast mistakes

Module 3: Evidence and inference

• Distinguish data, inference, interpretation, recommendation
• Assess evidence quality source, method, sample, timeliness
• Avoid overclaiming correlation vs causation and survivorship bias
• Design a minimal fact finding plan and stop rules

Module 4: Arguments that withstand scrutiny

• Structure arguments claims, reasons, evidence, alternatives
• Steelman opposing views and surface trade offs
• Spot logical fallacies and fix weak links
• Write a one page reasoning brief purpose, context, options, choice