Analytical thinking is a type of reasoning focused on breaking down information into smaller, more agile, and manageable categories, in order to draw conclusions or find solutions to problems that, at first glance, seem very complex.
In this sense, it is a form of thinking linked to deductive and inductive logic, language and communication , research, and data processing, as it allows us to create more manageable representations of a complicated reality. It is a form of reasoning highly focused on the structure and internal and external organization of things, useful for classification, decision-making, problem-solving, and hypothesis formulation .
To some extent, analytical thinking is similar to what is understood as linear or vertical thinking, given that it manifests itself in a sequential, orderly, problem-solving, and problem-focused manner. However, for many authors, analytical thinking is a much more comprehensive concept, occurring according to three well-defined steps or phases:
- Analytical Phase. The initial stage of analytical thinking consists of the complete contemplation of the problem and its separation or classification into smaller layers, that is, its segmentation into manageable and understandable parts, always prioritizing the elements over the relationships between them.
- Sequential phase. The second phase consists of a linear study of the parts, without gaps or alterations, to understand how they fit into the overall structure of the issue or problem. In this way, things are put into their proper place.
- Resolution phase. The final stage consists of reorganizing the elements in the structure or redesigning a structural scheme to overcome the drawbacks and achieve the desired results.
In school, we’re taught analytical thinking, but without using that name, and in fact, it’s a very necessary talent for most contemporary professions and trades . Analytical thinking is something that can be learned, but like many other forms of reasoning, it requires practice to become established.
- See also: Linear thinking
Examples of analytical thinking
Some examples of analytical thinking are as follows:
- Car repair. The mechanic must inspect the parts that make up the circuit where the fault is occurring and verify that each element is functioning correctly, proceeding sequentially until the faulty element is found and replaced. With the new part in place, the car should operate correctly.
- The correction of a health defect through surgery. Doctors must first study the entire body’s connected parts until they identify the cause of the discomfort and then design a plan of action that may include removing the defective part (such as the appendix), replacing it with a prosthesis or a donated organ, or remodeling the structure to compensate for the defect.
- Cataloging a library’s books. The person in charge of the task must design or find a suitable criterion to meet the specific needs of that specific library, placing a number of shelves on which the books will be distributed according to a subject, first, and then by name, second, establishing a logic that allows the user to quickly find the title they need.
- Improving a factory’s production. The employee must review the various departments involved in the production chain to ensure they are operating properly. This study of the flow of raw materials on their way to becoming finished products will eventually identify the “bottleneck” slowing down the process. Once identified, it can be resolved through the redistribution of resources within the factory system.
