Summary

As a professional and eventually an executive, you will face a variety of complex problems that require you to think strategically. This course enables you to develop your strategic thinking by giving you a step-by-step process and actionable tools applicable to any complex challenge.

Content

Keywords

strategy

strategic thinking

decision-making

problem solving

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Establish a comprehensive problem-solving approach
• Restate the perceived problem in a synthetic frame
• Analyze the root causes of the problem and update the frame accordingly
• Construct a clear map of the set of potential solutions
• Structure the analysis of the potential solutions
• Decide which solution offers the best tradeoffs
• Synthesize the analysis in a compelling argument

Transversal skills

• Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
• Continue to work through difficulties or initial failure to find optimal solutions.
• Demonstrate a capacity for creativity.
• Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking

Teaching methods

This course uses a mix of flipped lectures (videos), class discussions, and projects

Assessment methods

Class participation, including contributions to help others and comments on reading assignments -€“ 20%

Frame and diagnostic analysis -€“ Exercise 20%

How map -€“ Exercise 20%

Decision matrix and analysis -€“ Exercise 20%

Final report - Exercise 20%

Resources

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)

No

Bibliography

Chevallier, A. (2016). Strategic thinking in complex problem solving. Oxford, UK, Oxford University Press.

Websites

• http://clearerthinking.org
• http://powerful-problem-solving.com