Problem-solving and effective decision-making are essential skills in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing workplace. Both require a systematic yet creative approach to address today’s business concerns. This course will teach an overarching process of how to identify problems to generate potential solutions and how to apply decision-making styles in order to implement and assess those solutions. Through this process, you will gain confidence in assessing problems accurately, selecting the appropriate decision-making approaches for the situation at hand, making team decisions, and measuring the success of the solution’s implementation. Using case studies and situations encountered by class members, you will explore proven, successful problem-solving and decision-making models and methods that can be readily transferred to workplace projects.
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Effective Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
This course is part of multiple programs.
Instructor: Diane Spiegel
280,131 already enrolled
Included with 
(7,357 reviews)
What you'll learn
Explain both the affordances and limitations associated with problem-solving and decision-making
Reflect on how mindset and personal bias influence your ability to solve problems and make decisions
Explain and discuss how organizational decisions or non-decisions impact personal development, team dynamics, and company-wide performance
Articulate how both good and bad team decisions can benefit your professional growth
Skills you'll gain
- Critical Thinking
- Business Solutions
- Creative Problem-Solving
- Problem Solving
- Analytical Skills
- Decision Making
- Professional Development
- Analysis
- Organizational Effectiveness
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Root Cause Analysis
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Strategic Decision-Making
- Creativity
- Adaptability
- Personal Development
Details to know
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There are 4 modules in this course
Problem-solving is an essential skill in today's fast-paced and ever-changing workplace. It requires a systematic approach that incorporates effective decision-making. Throughout this course, we will learn an overarching process of identifying problems to generate potential solutions, then apply decision-making styles in order to implement and assess those solutions. In this module, we will learn to identify problems by using a root cause approach as a foundational tool. Additionally, we will address problem parameters that often occur in business situations. Throughout this course, we will utilize a case scenario that will provide specific examples to illustrate the steps in the problem-solving and decision-making process.
What's included
1 video7 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
In the previous module, we learned how to identify the root cause of a problem. Now we will discuss how mindset and personal bias can potentially limit creativity in solving workplace challenges. We’ll review problem-solving styles and creativity enhancement approaches to generate a variety of unique solutions while addressing constraints and limited resources.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
In the previous module, we learned how to generate a variety of creative solutions. Now we need to decide which solution is the best option. We will explore which decision-making styles lend themselves to best solve the problem given its affordances and limitations. Tips for making better decisions are outlined as well as hazards to avoid.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
In the previous module, we learned how to make the decision given the best information at hand. Once the decision is made, it’s time to implement and assess the chosen solution. As we get ready to implement, we are well-served to review situational variables as elements in the environment may have shifted during the decision-making process. We will also need to define the solution’s performance metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in order to later measure or assess the solution’s impact on the organization. Anecdotal data is equally valuable as it can share the emotional impact on employees.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
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Reviewed on Aug 8, 2023
Easy to go through course. Well build up with good example. Last part of the course was a bit confusing (situational variables / metrics KPI's) as it actually used same wording.
Reviewed on Sep 28, 2015
It's a great course with important and nicely presented information. It could be even better if University Of California, Irvine would make it more informative and longer than it is right now.
Reviewed on Sep 24, 2024
The course provided a roadmap that can be used to solve problems of varying levels of complexity. I will apply the framework my solving problems both personally and professionally.
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