Many teachers and parents complain that today’s schools and textbooks do not teach children how to think, but instead teach them what to think.  Preparing the children for multiple choice questions discourages them from thinking outsidethe box.  Teaching children what to think instead of how to think is indoctrination, does not prepare them for unexpected real life situations, and makes them vulnerable to cults and propaganda.

Analytical skills are the ability to collect, gather, visualize and analyse information in detail. They include the ability to see a problem or situation from different points of view.Analytical skills allow you to solve complex problems by making decisions in the most effective way. That is why analytical thinking becomes one of the crucial skills in the workplace and plays a vital role in every type of business.

When it comes to analytical skills, there are many examples that can be given. Here are some of the most important of them:

Yes, it can sound simple. But it is not. It’s not just about collecting lot of information.

You have to be able to gather and collect the right information required for a specific situation. Collecting information is the beginning of the analytical process.

Information is a great power! If you gather the right information, you have a better chance to resolve the problem.If you collect wrong or unnecessary information, it will have a negative influence on the whole analytical process and you may come up with a wrong solution to the problem.Here are some useful tips on how to collect the right information:

• Determine exactly what you want to know.
• List down all possible sources of information.
• Determine which are the best sources of information and of use.
• Determine the methods and ways of collecting information. For example, if you are in the marketing area, online survey tools are a great way to collect information.
• Determine gaps in your knowledge and try to fill these gaps.
• Think about who will use this information – only you or some of your colleagues and managers and etc.

Numeracy skills are basic mathematical skills that include a range of abilities to understand and analyse numerical information and to make the right conclusions and decisions.

They also include the ability to express ideas and situations using numerical or mathematical information.

Mathematics is a science with a key role for a career of the people who deal with technology, finance, IT, banking, and engineering – all professions, related to analytical thinking.Numeracy skills are some of the vital analytical skills. Examples are:

• Knowledge of numbers and figures;
• Understanding relationships between numbers;
• Interpreting mathematical information;
• Ability to remember;
• Visual perception of information;
• Ability to organize information;
• Argumentation and logical thinking;
• Calculation skills;
• Understanding trends (for example with the help of data visualization software);
• Scheduling or budgeting (for example with the help of project scheduling software, etc.);
• Measurement and data analysis;
• Working with graphical information and different graphical software such as Gantt chart software, flowchart software;

Strategic thinking is the ability to know what you want to achieve and how to achieve it.

On a business level, strategy thinking means that you can come up with effective plans to resolve a situation or to achieve a company’s goal.

It allows us to manage our personal and business life better and to achieve success in various fields.

Examples of strategic thinking skills:

• Clear vision about what you want to achieve.
• Understand and analyse your current position and resources.
• Prioritization.
• Develop a strategic action plan.
• Being flexible.
• The ability to learn.
• Understand the underlying processes with the help of business process management software.

Attention to detail skill is a crucial analytical skill.

 What is attention to detail?

To pay attention means to focus on an action or thing. In business aspect, attention to detail includes the ability to concentrate on a task.

Detail-oriented strengths give you the ability to see hidden details and connections when you analyse situations, to be more effective and to minimize the risk of errors.

 Example of attention to details skills:

• Organization skills
• Time management skills
• Observation skills
• Active listening skills

In our information and high technology era, good technical skills and knowledge are a must for all the levels of management and job positions.