Decision Making & Problem Solving for Managers
Overview
Managers make decisions every day, often with incomplete information and under time pressure. This course provides structured problem-solving and decision-making tools that help managers define problems clearly, find root causes, evaluate options and make decisions they can explain and defend.
Who should attend
Managers, supervisors, team leaders, and professionals involved in analysis and decision making.
Training methodology
Interactive presentations, practical exercises, case studies, group discussions, role-plays where relevant, and a personal action plan that participants apply in their own work.
Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Define problems clearly and separate symptoms from causes
- Apply root cause analysis tools
- Generate and evaluate alternatives systematically
- Recognise and reduce bias in decisions
- Implement decisions and learn from outcomes
Course outline
Day 1Problem Definition
- Types of problems
- Problem statements
- Gathering facts
- Framing the right question
- Exercise
Day 2Root Cause Analysis
- Five whys
- Fishbone diagram
- Pareto analysis
- Data-based analysis
- Group exercise
Day 3Generating Options
- Creative techniques
- Avoiding premature solutions
- Involving others
- Option screening
- Brainstorming session
Day 4Making Decisions
- Decision matrices
- Cost-benefit and risk
- Biases and traps
- Group decision methods
- Case study
Day 5Implementation and Learning
- Action planning
- Communicating decisions
- Monitoring outcomes
- Learning reviews
- Personal action plan
