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Decision Making

In this course, you will learn the concept of decision making from the rational and psychological points of view. We will discuss the limits to rationality; the interplay between emotional thinking and rational thinking when making decisions; the systematic errors provoked by our cognitive biases and by the use of heuristics; the role of emotions and intuition in decisions; the aleatory errors (noise); and possible remedies and leverage on all these aspects when making decisions.

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Syllabus

Decision making in organizations and its psychological aspects

In this first week of the course, you will learn the concept of decision making from the rational and psychological points of view. We will discuss the limits to rationality; the interplay between emotional thinking and rational thinking when making decisions; the systematic errors provoked by our cognitive biases and by the use of heuristics; the role of emotions and intuition in decisions; the aleatory errors (noise); and possible remedies and leverage on all these aspects when making decisions.

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what should give you pause

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Explores decision making process and problem solving, which are essential skills for business professionals

Develops critical thinking and decision-making skills, which are crucial for professionals in any field

Taught by André Nardy, who is recognized for his work in decision making

Examines social, technological and economic changes that impact decision making in organizations

Provides a foundation for understanding decision making in organizations from the rational and psychological points of view

May be less relevant for individuals who are not interested in business or decision making

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Reviews summary

Practical decision making: theory to application

According to students, this course offers a strong foundation in decision making, expertly blending rational and psychological perspectives. Learners frequently praise the instructor's clear and engaging explanations, particularly regarding cognitive biases and heuristics. The content is considered highly relevant for professionals, covering key areas from PrOACT methods to group dynamics and the emerging role of AI in decision making. While many found the theoretical depth insightful, a common theme among some reviews points to a desire for more hands-on exercises and direct practical application. A few suggest it might be better suited for beginners seeking conceptual understanding rather than experienced learners needing advanced techniques. Overall, it provides a largely positive and comprehensive overview.

Course covers a wide range of relevant decision-making topics.

"Phenomenal course for understanding the intricacies of decision making. The blend of psychology and analytical tools is brilliant."

"Very relevant content, especially the sections on cognitive biases and group dynamics."

"I learned so much about how emotions and intuition influence decisions, which I hadn't considered before."

Instructor provides clear, engaging, and easy-to-follow explanations.

"The instructor explained complex concepts like cognitive biases and heuristics in a very clear and relatable way."

"Excellent course! The professor's explanations are concise and easy to follow."

"The instructor explains things clearly. I felt some parts were a bit dry, but the overall value is high."

Highly applicable for those in leadership and management roles.

"It's incredibly useful for my work in project management. Highly recommend for anyone looking to improve their decision-making skills in a professional setting."

"This course is a game-changer for anyone in leadership or management roles."

"This is a must for managers."

Best for beginners; experienced learners may find it introductory.

"Disappointing. I felt the course was too basic for my needs... This might be better for absolute beginners, but not for experienced professionals."

"I believe it's best suited for those new to the subject. More experienced learners might find it a bit introductory."

"It's suitable for someone looking for conceptual understanding."

Learners desire more hands-on exercises and real-world implementation.

"I was hoping for more case studies or real-world scenarios to practice the frameworks. It felt like a good overview, but not enough depth for immediate implementation."

"I wish there were more hands-on exercises, but overall, it's a good foundation."

"The theoretical background is strong. However, I found myself wanting more practical exercises."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Decision Making with these activities:

Review the concept of decision making

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Strengthen foundational knowledge to better prepare for the course

Browse courses on Decision Making

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Recall and summarize what you know about the rational and psychological points of view of decision making

Join a peer group for ongoing discussion and support

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Enhance understanding and retention through peer collaboration

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Identify or create a peer group with shared interests
Meet regularly to discuss course topics, share insights, and support each other's learning

Review 'Thinking, Fast and Slow'

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Reinforce course concepts through the insights of a leading expert in decision making

View Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment on Amazon

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Read and understand key chapters and concepts
Summarize and reflect on the implications for decision-making practices

Six other activities

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Follow tutorials on decision analysis techniques

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Enhance understanding and practical application of decision analysis

Browse courses on Decision Analysis

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Search and identify reputable tutorials on decision analysis techniques
Follow the tutorials, taking notes and applying the techniques to sample problems
Seek clarification and ask questions in online forums or discussion groups

Practice identifying cognitive biases and heuristics

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Reinforce understanding of systematic errors in decision making

Browse courses on Cognitive Biases

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Read and understand examples of cognitive biases and heuristics
Identify these biases and heuristics in real-life situations or case studies

Create a comprehensive study guide

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Reinforce understanding by organizing and summarizing course materials

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Gather and organize notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams
Identify key concepts and summarize them in a concise and clear manner
Review and revise the study guide regularly to enhance retention

Develop a decision-making framework

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Apply course concepts to create a practical tool for decision making

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Research and analyze best practices in decision-making frameworks
Design a framework that meets the specific needs of your organization or industry
Test and refine the framework through simulations or case studies

Attend a workshop on negotiation and decision-making

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Gain practical skills and insights from experts in a collaborative setting

Browse courses on Negotiation Skills

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Research and identify relevant workshops
Participate actively in the workshop, taking notes and asking questions
Apply the lessons learned to your own decision-making situations

Contribute to open-source decision-making tools

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Apply course knowledge while contributing to the development of real-world tools

Browse courses on Open Source Tools

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Identify open-source projects related to decision making
Contribute to code development, documentation, or community support
Collaborate with other contributors and learn from their expertise

Career center

Learners who complete Decision Making will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Consultant

Consultants provide expertise and advice to businesses and organizations to help them improve their performance. They help clients identify problems, develop solutions, and implement change. This course can provide consultants with a strong foundation in decision-making theory and practice. It can help them understand the cognitive and psychological factors that influence decision-making, and provide them with tools and techniques to improve their decision-making skills. Additionally, the course can help consultants develop their problem-solving and analytical skills, which are essential for success in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Data Scientist

Data scientists use data to solve problems and make predictions. They work with large datasets to identify patterns and trends, and develop models to predict future outcomes. This course can help data scientists develop their decision-making skills, and provide them with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of decision-making. Additionally, the course can help data scientists develop their analytical and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts use data to make recommendations on investments and financial decisions. They analyze financial statements, economic data, and market trends to make informed decisions about which stocks, bonds, and other investments to buy or sell. This course can help financial analysts develop their decision-making skills, and provide them with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of decision-making. Additionally, the course can help financial analysts develop their analytical and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers oversee the hiring, training, and development of employees. They also manage employee benefits, compensation, and performance reviews. This course can help human resources managers develop their decision-making skills, and provide them with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of decision-making. Additionally, the course can help human resources managers develop their interpersonal and communication skills, which are essential for success in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Management Analyst

Management analysts study the operations of businesses and organizations to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. They analyze data, identify problems, and develop solutions. This course can help management analysts develop their decision-making skills, and provide them with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of decision-making. Additionally, the course can help management analysts develop their analytical and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Analyst

Market Researcher

Market researchers study consumer behavior to identify trends and develop marketing strategies. They use data analysis and research methods to gather information about consumers' needs and wants. This course can help market researchers develop their decision-making skills, and provide them with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of decision-making. Additionally, the course can help market researchers develop their analytical and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Researcher

Operations Research Analyst

Operations research analysts use mathematical and statistical techniques to solve problems in a variety of industries. They work with businesses and organizations to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. This course can help operations research analysts develop their decision-making skills, and provide them with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of decision-making. Additionally, the course can help operations research analysts develop their analytical and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst

Policy Analyst

Policy analysts study public policy issues and develop recommendations for policymakers. They research, analyze, and evaluate public policy proposals, and make recommendations on how to improve them. This course can help policy analysts develop their decision-making skills, and provide them with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of decision-making. Additionally, the course can help policy analysts develop their analytical and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Product Manager

Product managers oversee the development and launch of new products. They work with engineers, designers, and marketers to bring new products to market. This course can help product managers develop their decision-making skills, and provide them with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of decision-making. Additionally, the course can help product managers develop their interpersonal and communication skills, which are essential for success in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Project Manager

Project managers plan, organize, and execute projects. They work with teams of people to achieve project goals within budget and on time. This course can help project managers develop their decision-making skills, and provide them with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of decision-making. Additionally, the course can help project managers develop their leadership and communication skills, which are essential for success in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Risk Manager

Risk managers identify, assess, and manage risks. They work with businesses and organizations to develop strategies to mitigate risks and protect their assets. This course can help risk managers develop their decision-making skills, and provide them with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of decision-making. Additionally, the course can help risk managers develop their analytical and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Software Engineer

Software engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. They work with businesses and organizations to create software solutions that meet their needs. This course can help software engineers develop their decision-making skills, and provide them with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of decision-making. Additionally, the course can help software engineers develop their analytical and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Statistician

Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data. They work with businesses and organizations to make informed decisions about their products, services, and operations. This course can help statisticians develop their decision-making skills, and provide them with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of decision-making. Additionally, the course can help statisticians develop their analytical and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Systems Analyst

Systems analysts study the operations of businesses and organizations to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. They analyze data, identify problems, and develop solutions. This course can help systems analysts develop their decision-making skills, and provide them with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of decision-making. Additionally, the course can help systems analysts develop their analytical and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

User Experience Researcher

User experience researchers study how users interact with products and services. They use this information to design products and services that are easy to use and enjoyable. This course can help user experience researchers develop their decision-making skills, and provide them with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of decision-making. Additionally, the course can help user experience researchers develop their analytical and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Researcher

Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Decision Making.

Noise

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Provides a comprehensive overview of cognitive biases and heuristics, which are key topics covered in the course.

Decision Making

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Practical decision making: theory to application

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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