 Critical thinking, applying analysis steps to a situation. Let's review the steps in analyzing a process. Step one, observe the process or situation to understand its purpose. Step two, analyze your observation to determine its effectiveness. Step three, form suggestions to improve the process. Step four, predict outcomes based on your suggestions. Step five, conduct a test or experiment to measure outcomes. And step six, implement process improvements if needed. Now let's apply these steps to a situation in your own life. Step one, observe. Think of a situation in your job, the classroom, or in your personal life where you've noticed a recurring process or problem that frustrates you. If you can't think of any frustrating situations in your own life, here are some examples. Job, my company has implemented just-in-time production. Some days I'm supposed to assemble a product, but two of the 25 parts are not in stock. I end up looking bad. Classroom, I'm on a team of four in one class. We never seem to be able to meet outside of class. So far we've turned in three late projects and my grade is suffering. Personal life. I've seen the same 10-point buck every year right up until opening day. Then he disappears until hunting season is over. I can't get him in my sights. Step one was to observe. Step two is to analyze your observation. How effective is the current process? What does your observation tell you about why the situation exists? And is the problem one of communication or facility? Step three, form suggestions to improve the process. What are some possible alternatives for the way things are being done now? How can communication be improved? Step four, predict outcomes based on your suggestions. What will result from these changes? Step five, conduct a test to measure the outcomes. Assuming you could do a test, what do you suppose the results would be? And step six, implement process improvements. How would you monitor the new process to check the validity of your changes? Thinking critically about your topic should have allowed you to focus on the facts rather than on assumptions, brainstorm more possible solutions, and offer or implement improvements. You have completed this learning object critical thinking, applying analysis steps to a situation.