Decision Making - How to Choose the Right Problem to Solve from Coursera

Life is full of problems. The question is, which problems do you try to solve first and how?

Learn powerful decision-making methods and how to cultivate problem-solving skills for a range of issues we all face in the workplace and beyond. In this course, you’ll evaluate your current problem-solving approach and learn techniques that will sharpen your analytical and critical skills required to help you quickly resolve issues.

Defining a problem is the first step to developing a solution and so you will explore methods that will help you define the real issues. You will then experiment with decision-making techniques such as a SWOT analysis to help you quickly evaluate your options clearly and set priorities when everything seems urgent. Once you can identify a problem and understand it, you’ll learn how to explore the benefits and drawbacks of various solutions and methods to minimise risks.

This course is one of many, offered by Click Start, a UK training programme designed to help young people develop digital skills. Click Start offers a limited number of scholarships giving free access to young people in the UK. Check the FAQs to see more detail and follow the link to check if you are eligible for free access today.

You will then apply all the skills you learnt and discover how to create a detailed plan to persuade others that your ideas will work. By the end of this course, you’ll be able to tackle real-world problems and have the confidence to pitch your ideas and get your colleagues on board.

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1 - Finding and defining problems

During the first week of this course, you will be introduced to the experts who will be guiding you through the course and begin to unpick what problem-solving actually means. You will start by reflecting on the last problem you encountered. During the activities this week, you will identify the kinds of skills that help people to solve problems, and reflect on your own problem-solving strengths and talents. You will explore a five-step method to help you approach a problem you might have and reflect on how this relates to your current experience. Defining your problem is crucial to developing a solution. This week looks at ways to define the real problem and analyse the context in which you're developing solutions. At the end of the week, you’ll reflect on what you’ve covered, and assess what you can learn from the SWOT analysis you've completed.

Week 2 - Assessing your solutions

This week you will look at how to assess the solutions you come up with. You'll follow Shona as she analyses which idea would be best to help solve her problem. During the activities you will look at how you can develop more ideas for solving the problems you’ve identified, and how you can evaluate the best ideas. You will explore how evaluating risk can help your solutions be successful. At the end of the week, you’ll reflect on what you’ve covered, and identify what you can learn from your SWOT analysis.

Week 3 - Understanding and selling your solution

This week you’ll investigate how to think about the wider impact of your ideas, and produce a strong plan to show how your idea will work in the real world. You’ll consider how you can make a persuasive case for your solution. During the activities, you’ll explore how to estimate resources and measure success and make your own plan to solve a problem, and take part in a peer review exercise to get and give feedback on your work. You’ve nearly reached the end of the course, so the final steps will help you reflect on what you’ve learned.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines problem-solving, which is a core skill in most fields

Teaches a five-step method to solving problems and making decisions

Explores a variety of problem-solving methods and techniques, increasing your problem-solving toolkit

Demonstrates how to assess the viability of potential solutions

Provides guidance on communicating and selling your solutions to others

Features practical activities and exercises to reinforce the learning

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 - How to Choose the Right Problem to Solve with these activities:

Review decision-making theories

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Refresh your understanding of decision-making theories, providing a solid foundation for the course's focus on problem-solving and decision-making.

Browse courses on Decision-Making

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Revise concepts such as bounded rationality and cognitive biases
Apply theories to real-world problem-solving scenarios

Read: 'Getting Things Done' by David Allen

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Delve into David Allen's renowned book on productivity and time management, gaining valuable insights into effective problem-solving strategies.

View Getting Things Done B on Amazon

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Read and take notes on key concepts
Apply the GTD methodology to your own tasks

Problem-solving group discussions

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Engage in group discussions with peers to exchange ideas, share perspectives, and collaborate on solving problems, fostering critical thinking and teamwork skills.

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Prepare by reviewing course materials
Actively participate in discussions
Provide constructive feedback to peers

Four other activities

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Time management exercises

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Engage in exercises that improve your ability to manage time effectively and prioritize tasks, which is crucial for efficient problem-solving.

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Identify time-wasting activities
Prioritize tasks based on importance and urgency
Break down large tasks into smaller ones

SWOT analysis tutorials

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Follow guided tutorials to enhance your understanding of SWOT analysis, a powerful tool for evaluating problems and making informed decisions.

Browse courses on SWOT Analysis

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Understand the components of SWOT analysis
Apply SWOT analysis to real-world problems
Interpret SWOT analysis results

Problem-solving case study

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Develop a comprehensive case study that demonstrates your ability to identify, analyze, and solve a complex problem, showcasing your problem-solving skills.

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Choose a problem or issue to address
Research and gather relevant information
Develop and evaluate potential solutions
Present your findings and recommendations

Problem-solving simulation

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Immerse yourself in a simulated problem-solving environment that challenges you to apply your skills and knowledge to real-life scenarios, fostering practical problem-solving abilities.

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Review the simulation instructions
Identify and analyze the problem
Develop and implement solutions
Monitor and evaluate the results

Career center

Learners who complete Decision Making - How to Choose the Right Problem to Solve will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for understanding the needs of a business and translating those needs into technical requirements. They work closely with stakeholders to gather information, analyze data, and develop solutions that improve business processes. The Decision Making - How to Choose the Right Problem to Solve course will provide you with the skills you need to succeed in this role, including problem-solving, analytical thinking, and communication skills. The course will also help you build a strong foundation in business principles, which is essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Management Consultant

Management Consultants are sought after to help businesses identify inefficiencies and implement solutions that improve overall performance. They work with a variety of industries, providing guidance on everything from IT and operations to marketing and strategy. The Decision Making - How to Choose the Right Problem to Solve course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with the skills you need to analyze problems, develop solutions, and communicate your findings effectively. The course will also help you build a strong foundation in business principles, which is essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a business. They work with a team of people to ensure that the business runs smoothly and efficiently. The Decision Making - How to Choose the Right Problem to Solve course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with the skills you need to manage operations effectively. The course will also help you build a strong foundation in operations management principles, which is essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. They work with a team of people to define product requirements, create prototypes, and test products before they are released to the market. The Decision Making - How to Choose the Right Problem to Solve course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with the skills you need to develop and launch products successfully. The course will also help you build a strong foundation in product management principles, which is essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They work with a team of people to achieve project goals and objectives. The Decision Making - How to Choose the Right Problem to Solve course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with the skills you need to manage projects effectively. The course will also help you build a strong foundation in project management principles, which is essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts are responsible for analyzing financial data and making recommendations to businesses. They work with a variety of financial data, including financial statements, economic data, and market data. The Decision Making - How to Choose the Right Problem to Solve course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with the skills you need to analyze financial data effectively. The course will also help you build a strong foundation in financial analysis principles, which is essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Data Analyst

Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data. They work with a variety of data sources, including structured data, unstructured data, and big data. The Decision Making - How to Choose the Right Problem to Solve course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with the skills you need to analyze data effectively. The course will also help you build a strong foundation in data analysis principles, which is essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Software Engineer

Software Engineers are responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of software applications. They work with a variety of programming languages and technologies to create software that meets the needs of businesses and consumers. The Decision Making - How to Choose the Right Problem to Solve course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with the skills you need to develop software effectively. The course will also help you build a strong foundation in software engineering principles, which is essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts are responsible for the testing and validation of software applications. They work with a variety of testing tools and techniques to ensure that software applications are reliable, efficient, and secure. The Decision Making - How to Choose the Right Problem to Solve course may be useful for this role by providing you with the skills you need to test and validate software applications effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Database Administrator

Database Administrators are responsible for the management and maintenance of databases. They work with a variety of database technologies to ensure that databases are reliable, efficient, and secure. The Decision Making - How to Choose the Right Problem to Solve course may be useful for this role by providing you with the skills you need to manage databases effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Web Developer

Web Developers are responsible for the design and development of websites. They work with a variety of programming languages and technologies to create websites that are both visually appealing and functional. The Decision Making - How to Choose the Right Problem to Solve course may be useful for this role by providing you with the skills you need to develop websites effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Network Administrator

Network Administrators are responsible for the management and maintenance of computer networks. They work with a variety of network technologies to ensure that networks are reliable, efficient, and secure. The Decision Making - How to Choose the Right Problem to Solve course may be useful for this role by providing you with the skills you need to manage networks effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Technical Writer

Technical Writers are responsible for the creation and maintenance of technical documentation. They work with a variety of technical subjects to create documentation that is clear, concise, and accurate. The Decision Making - How to Choose the Right Problem to Solve course may be useful for this role by providing you with the skills you need to create technical documentation effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts are responsible for the analysis and design of computer systems. They work with a variety of stakeholders to gather requirements, develop solutions, and implement systems. The Decision Making - How to Choose the Right Problem to Solve course may be useful for this role by providing you with the skills you need to analyze and design systems effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers are responsible for writing and maintaining computer code. They work with a variety of programming languages and technologies to create software that meets the needs of businesses and consumers. The Decision Making - How to Choose the Right Problem to Solve course may be useful for this role by providing you with the skills you need to develop software effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer