8.6 Monitoring progress

8.6.1 Monitor and critically reflect on your use of problem-solving skills

As you use problem-solving skills in your work, refer back to the outcomes you hope to achieve and the goals you have set yourself. Ask yourself questions such as:

• am I on track to achieve my outcomes?

• what difficulties in using problem-solving techniques have I experienced and what have I done about them?

• how have the choices and decisions I made impacted on me and on others?

• do I need to make any changes in the way I am learning about and using problem-solving skills?

Identify reliable sources of feedback (such as your tutor, other students, project supervisor or work colleagues) and ask for comments on specific aspects of your work. Use their comments and suggestions constructively to help you monitor your performance, make decisions and focus on those areas you need to work on.

Use any feedback together with your own assessment of how you are learning and improving, to reflect critically on your progress, and to suggest ways to move forward (such as by improving your existing skills, setting new priorities, trying different approaches). Remember that being critical does not mean ‘finding fault’. Rather, it means being enquiring and honest with yourself about your performance, your strong points and your weaknesses.