Steps in Using the Critical Incident Technique

STEPS IN USING THE CRITICAL INCIDENT TECHNIQUE:

1) The incident. Read, review, or assume roles. Begin the investigation of the incident situation.

2) Fact-Finding. Collecting the details of the incident occurs in the small group discussions where the participants determine what they know about the situation and what else they need to know before making a decision. They decide what questions to ask the instructor.

3) The issue. When the groups have all the facts needed to decide the case, they should identify what they consider to be its central issues.

4) The Decision. Each trainee or group writes a decision on the incident and cites the central issues identified. The group members state how they would like to see the situation handled and why. Individuals or groups with varying responses to the same situation may be allowed to debate their rationale for the decision.

5) The Evaluation (the most important stage). In large groups the instructor guides the groups to focus on broader issues of the incident to analyze potential solutions to determine if the alternative courses of action will cause more trouble and to determine if the root causes are still present in the situation. Evaluate the exercise by centering on WHAT WAS LEARNED BY THE EXERCISE AS A DEMONSTRATION OF THE CRITICAL INCIDENT TECHNIQUE, not on who has the best decision to the incident itself.

Copyright AE Schwartz & Associates All rights reserved. For additional presentation materials and resources: ReadySetPresent and for a Free listing as a Trainer, Consultant, Speaker, Vendor/Organization: TrainingConsortium

CEO, A.E. Schwartz & Associates, Boston, MA., a comprehensive organization which offers over 40 skills based management training programs. Mr. Schwartz conducts over 150 programs annually for clients in industry, research, technology, government, Fortune 100/500 companies, and nonprofit organizations worldwide. He is often found at conferences as a key note presenter and/or facilitator. His style is fast-paced, participatory, practical, and humorous. He has authored over 65 books and products, and taught/lectured at over a dozen colleges and universities throughout the United States.

---

Turbo Charge Your Career With The Most Powerful Leadership Tool Of All: The Leadership Talk: Part 1

Leaders speak 15 to 20 times daily. You speak at... Read More

How To Rebuild Trust

Here are some quick thoughts on ways to turn things... Read More

Hows Your HUB?

Marketing gurus are always coming up with new lingo but... Read More

Top Ten Tips About Communicating with Your Employees Effectively

Communication is the basis of who you are as a... Read More

Take the Easy Route - Delegate

It was 2.30 am. It was cold and dark and... Read More

Downsizing in Organisations - The Real Truth

I've met and worked with many people in all sectors... Read More

Performance Management - Getting The Most Out of Your Employees

Managing for Best PerformanceIn it's simplest form, performance management is... Read More

Dont Sweat the Small Stuff with Your Credit Policy

Do you know how many customers you have that are... Read More

How to get an Audiences Attention

A trainer dryly discussing how to motivate people in an... Read More

14 Ways to De-Stress Employee Vacations

Employees truly deserve paid vacations. Theystruggle through stressful jobs most... Read More

The Rise of Corporate Chair Massages

Employers have rapidly begun to understand the importance of stress... Read More

Questions To Ask Employees You Want To Retain

Times of cost cutting and downsizing has dramatically impacted the... Read More

More Computer Consulting 101 Hiring Tips (Part 2 of 2)

Does your company need to retain the services of a... Read More

Can You Sleep While The Wind Blows?

Let me repeat a story I heard many years ago... Read More

Creating a Team Working Environment

TEAM DECISION MAKING: Managers who invite participation believe that people... Read More

Warning! Meeting In Progress; May Be Hazardous To Your Career

There ought to be a sign posted on every closed... Read More

Efficiency Around The Office

Nearly every office, be it commercial or home-based, may have... Read More

Delegation Obstructions

OBSTRUCTIONS: 1. Staff deficiencies. Lack of confidence in employees quite... Read More

Rethinking the CEO-Chairman Split

Traditionally, in American businesses, the same person occupies the role... Read More

Quick Tip - Effective Meetings Have a Complete Agenda

Most agendas for a meeting look like this.* Budget* Payroll*... Read More

Its All In The Systems

Have you ever noticed french fries taste the same at... Read More

How To Own A Business... Instead Of A Job

Every business is run by someone who took on a... Read More

Performance Appraisal - Ten Stupid Things Managers Do To Screw It Up

Performance appraisals aren't fun. But a lot of the time... Read More

Do the People in Your Organisation Dress For Success?

What really amazes me, with all the personal and professional... Read More

People - You Cant Make Them What Theyre Not

Many business people and managers are spending too much time... Read More

Problem Solving

When problem solving, you may recognize that you were working... Read More

CEOs Role in Family Business

I first met Roland (not his real name) in 1972.... Read More

Setting Direction Within an Organization

FINDING DIRECTION: An organization can't succeed without direction. Direction means... Read More

The Punitive Approach to Marginal Performers

MANAGING A MARGINAL PERFORMER: Often a marginal performer, even after... Read More

What Makes a Good Appraisal Interview?

WHAT MAKES A GOOD APPRAISAL INTERVIEW?Here is a tip for... Read More

How To Use Outsourcing To Beat Your Competition

Outsourcing is when you hire outside professionals or services to... Read More

Recruitment - Do You Know What Youre Looking For?

The time will come when you'll need to interview someone... Read More

Are You Managing to Lead?

For many people, the terms "manager" and "leader" are synonymous.... Read More