Complex problem solving in organizations

Summary

As a professional you are called to solve all kinds of problems. The first ones you meet might be simple ones but as you progress through the ranks, their complexity will also increases. All these problems will require you to think strategically. This course develops your strategic thinking skills.

Content

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Keywords

Strategy

Strategic thinking

Decision-making

Problem solving

Learning Outcomes

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

• Structure a comprehensive problem-solving approach
• Define the problem in a synthetic frame
• Construct a clear map of the set of potential solutions
• Analyze the potential solutions
• Decide which solution offers the best tradeoffs
• Synthesize the analysis in a compelling argument
• Use judicious iterations and probabilistic thinking to manage key uncertainties

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

Like any other higher-order skill (e.g., tennis), you don't learn to solve complex problems by simply reading about it. You have to practice. This is why this course will be highly practical. As the lead architect of the course, my job is to create an environment where you can develop your skills, exchange with others, learn from the theory, from me, and from each other. To get the best out of our limited time together, we'll flip the classroom leveraging videos so that we can have more time discussing the implications of the tools we're acquiring and sharing perspectives.
But that only works if you come prepared, you are active members of the course, and you contribute to it. This is why I will treat you as I treat other executives at IMD: class attendance is mandatory. I also expect you to show up on time. Any absence that hasn't been cleared with the instructor ahead of time may result in penalties up to a failing grade.

Assessment methods

There won't be a final exam. Instead, your assessment will be a mix of a group project and individual assessment. More specifically,

• Quality of the group project.“ 60%. The grade of the group will be adjusted for the contribution of each group member
• Quality of the individual contribution. 40%, including class participation, contributions to help others, quality of take aways, quality of comments on the take aways of your peers

Resources

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)

No

Bibliography

Chevallier, A. and A. Enders (2022). Solvable - A Simple solution to complex problems. Harlow, England, Pearson.

Ressources en bibliothèque

• Find the references at the Library

Websites

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