Course syllabus
Week 1: Introduction to Problem Solving and Decision-Making
- Lesson 1.1: Understanding Problem Solving
- Types of Problems (Well-defined vs. Ill-defined)
- The Importance of Problem-Solving Skills
- Lesson 1.2: Decision-Making Processes
- Rational vs. Intuitive Decision-Making
- The Role of Pressure in Decision-Making
- Activity: Self-Assessment Quiz on Current Problem-Solving Skills
Week 2: The Psychology of Decision-Making Under Pressure
- Lesson 2.1: How Stress Affects Decision-Making
- Understanding the Stress Response: Fight-or-Flight
- Stress Management Techniques
- Lesson 2.2: Cognitive Biases and Heuristics
- Common Cognitive Biases (e.g., Anchoring, Confirmation Bias)
- How Heuristics Influence Decision-Making
- Activity: Case Study on Decision-Making Under Stress
Week 3: Problem-Solving Frameworks and Techniques
- Lesson 3.1: Structured Problem-Solving Approaches
- Root Cause Analysis
- The 5 Whys Technique
- Lesson 3.2: Strategic Analysis Tools
- SWOT Analysis
- PEST Analysis
- Decision Trees
- Activity: Interactive Problem-Solving Exercise Using a Case Study
Week 4: Creative Problem-Solving in High-Stress Situations
- Lesson 4.1: Enhancing Creativity in Problem-Solving
- Introduction to Lateral Thinking
- Mind Mapping Techniques
- Lesson 4.2: The Six Thinking Hats Technique
- Applying Different Perspectives to Problem-Solving
- Group Problem-Solving Exercises
- Activity: Brainstorming Session with Peer Feedback
Week 5: Making Informed Decisions Quickly
- Lesson 5.1: Rapid Decision-Making Frameworks
- The OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act)
- The DECIDE Model (Detect, Estimate, Choose, Identify, Do, Evaluate)
- Lesson 5.2: Prioritization Techniques
- The Eisenhower Matrix
- The Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule)
- Activity: Real-Time Decision-Making Simulation
Week 6: Overcoming Cognitive Biases
- Lesson 6.1: Identifying and Counteracting Biases
- Recognizing Biases in Decision-Making
- Techniques to Mitigate Biases
- Lesson 6.2: The Impact of Groupthink and How to Avoid It
- Strategies for Encouraging Diverse Perspectives
- Activity: Bias Identification Exercise with Case Studies
Week 7: Effective Communication of Decisions
- Lesson 7.1: Communicating Decisions Clearly
- The Art of Persuasion in Decision-Making
- Storytelling Techniques for Decision Communication
- Lesson 7.2: Using Data to Support Decisions
- Visualizing Data for Better Understanding
- Presenting Data-Driven Decisions
- Activity: Presentation of a Decision-Making Case Study
Week 8: Case Studies and Real-World Applications
- Lesson 8.1: Problem-Solving in Business Contexts
- Crisis Management and Ethical Decision-Making
- Case Study Analysis of Famous Business Decisions
- Lesson 8.2: Applying Problem-Solving in Personal Life
- Balancing Work and Personal Decision-Making
- Long-Term vs. Short-Term Decision Considerations
- Activity: Group Discussion on Real-World Problem-Solving Scenarios
Week 9: Final Project – Capstone Problem-Solving Challenge
- Project Overview: Tackle a complex, multi-faceted problem under time constraints using the skills and techniques learned throughout the course.
- Step 1: Problem Identification and Analysis
- Step 2: Solution Development and Decision-Making
- Step 3: Communication of the Decision to Stakeholders
- Outcome: Submission of the final project with peer and instructor feedback.
Week 10: Reflection and Course Conclusion
- Lesson 10.1: Reflecting on Your Growth
- Reviewing Key Learnings and Takeaways
- Self-Assessment of Improvement in Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
- Lesson 10.2: Next Steps for Continued Improvement
- Developing a Personal Action Plan for Ongoing Learning
- Activity: Final Reflection Essay and Course Feedback Survey