Lesson #2 - Barriers

[Stacey Fraser]

Factors that can get in the way of critical thinking are numerous. First and foremost, not understanding the problem/question at hand can immediately cause issue with finding an appropriate/acceptable solution. Asking the necessary questions of yourself and others, as well as, evaluating the problem from many angles can help to ensure you are looking at a correctly understood problem.

Again, not asking enough questions or the right questions can inhibit the process of critical thinking. Not breaking apart the problem to assess each individual facet can inevitably lead to a less desired outcome, particularly if information and advice of other experts was not sought. We only know what we know, but a lot of other people know more, so why not ask the right questions of them?

Another less recognized factor, in my mind, that can get in the way of critical thinking is not identifying and factoring in personal bias or emotions when looking at and evaluating a problem. I may consider myself an expert on my programs but letting my own personal feelings toward potential change or the relinquishing of “but this is how it has always been done” could be a costly mistake to a successful outcome.

There can be many factors getting in the way of successful critical thinking, but I think if the right questions are asked from the beginning and a clear understanding of the problem is agreed upon by not only you, but others, the likelihood of success is more attainable.

I did not use critical thinking skills when I made the decision to not get my team trained and up and running on, what I was told, was an “optional” IT endeavor. Our authority agency developed and instituted a system for submitting our work for review via a portal. I was repeatedly told it was not mandatory and that the benefits of using this system clearly outweighed not using this potential set up. I involved myself in several of the trainings as a means of understanding the system, the complexities involved, and to determine my own set of pro’s and con’s.

The major “con” for me was it would be a lot of training time needed up front and a restructuring of systems for the “after portal use”. For the past 10+ years, our method of submission has been faxing and, in my eyes, it had been working well and it also meant we did not need to invest time and energy into the training and reinventing of some systems. I obtained the “optional” and “not mandatory” info in writing, several times and stated in several different ways, and carried on with business.

The outcome can be interpreted in two ways, I believe. Yes, we continued with the faxing and potentially saved some time and headache. End of story……..or not? Then, a pandemic hit and ALL systems had to be reworked so that our authority agency could operate remotely. Faxing in information soon became a hit or miss issue. Suddenly our authority agency could not staff in their offices where the fax machine for submission was housed. A concession was allowed in which a staff could enter the fax office once a week so that meant our very stringent time frames for submission could just be sitting in a pile of paper for a week before even being looked at. Papers go missing and fax machines run out of paper when no one is there to see. Submissions soon were lost or delayed due to the parameters of their set up.

Although the pandemic was not on anyone’s radar at the time of my original decision to not move forward with the portal, had I then invested the time, training, and reworking of processes back then, my team and I would not be in the position we are currently in! I believe if I had spent more time looking at long term benefits to incorporating the portal way back when, maybe I would have avoided our current situation.  Now we are in the middle of all the preparation, training, and general chaos I was originally trying to avoid anyway!

[Gregg Caplitz]

Feb 8, 2021 16:37:17 GMT Stacey Fraser said:

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Although the pandemic was not on anyone’s radar at the time of my original decision to not move forward with the portal, had I then invested the time, training, and reworking of processes back then, my team and I would not be in the position we are currently in! I believe if I had spent more time looking at long term benefits to incorporating the portal way back when, maybe I would have avoided our current situation.  Now we are in the middle of all the preparation, training, and general chaos I was originally trying to avoid anyway!


Stacey I have reread your post several times. Although the results were clearly not what you expected. It appears to me that you applied critical thinking to your decision. You weighed the pros and cons of going through the training. Received confirmation that it wasn't mandatory. went through it yourself and made a thoughtful decision. The results were not what you wanted because the world blew up but i think you undervalue your process. We all have 20/20 hindsight. Great job on your post.