Precision questioning

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Precision Questioning (PQ) is an intellectual toolkit for critical thinking and problem solving that grew out of a collaboration between Dennis Matthies and Dr. Monica Worline, while both were at Stanford University.

Precision Questioning seeks to enable practitioners with a highly structured, one-question/one-answer discussion format to solve complex problems, conduct deep analysis, and make difficult decisions.

PQ focuses on clearly expressing gaps in thinking by coupling a taxonomy of analytical questions with a structured call and response model to enable PQ practitioners to uncover weaknesses in thinking and to raise the intellectual level of a conversation.

Those who use Precision Questioning (also called "PQers") describe PQ conversations as those analytical opportunities motivated by an attempt to get to the precise answers, or to identify where no answer is available.

However, when drilling into a topic, they endeavor to avoid the use of personalization; that is, blame or shame. The ideal of Precision Questioning is to get one's own needs for information met while also respecting the intellectual integrity of the conversation partner.

Matthies, who taught at Stanford University’s Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), developed several experimental courses that have subsequently become known to a wider public including Precision Questioning, which was initially taught in the Stanford Philosophy Department.

Different versions of Precision Questioning have been taught to tens of thousands of people in universities and companies throughout the world.

[edit] See Also

• Critical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Nonviolent Communication

[edit] External Links

• 1994 – Reading Faster, Reading Smarter (Published through the Stanford University Bookstore)
• 1994 – Think on Your Feet (Published through the Stanford University Bookstore)
• 1994 – Self-Coaching (Published through the Stanford University Bookstore)
• 1994 – Accelerated Concept Mastery (Published through the Stanford University Bookstore)
• 1995 – Precision Questioning (Published through the Stanford University Bookstore)
• 1995 – Concept Busting (Published through the Stanford University Bookstore)
• 1995 – Question-Driven Writing (Published through the Stanford University Bookstore)
• 1996 – Self-Teaching (Published through the Stanford University Bookstore)