MGF5680 - Managerial problem solving and decision making - 2018

This unit focuses on enhancing students' understanding of problem solving and decision making processes in management practice, from a critical perspective on managerial thinking and action as an art of practical wisdom and sound judgment.

Through interactive group work, role play, case studies and situational exercises, students will apply analytical reasoning and adaptive-creative methods of decision making to successfully manage organisational problems. Specific tools and techniques will be used to illustrate the complexity of managers' roles in defining problems; generating, evaluating and implementing solutions; balancing rationality and intuition; and making group decisions.

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

1. interpret organisational phenomena effectively, in order to define problems and identify decision-making situations
2. analyse patterns and relationships in problem solving and decision making processes
3. identify and evaluate problem contexts, explanations and alternative solutions
4. recognise and avoid errors in reasoning and decision-making
5. identify implicit assumptions, constraints and biases in problem solving and decision making, and develop strategies to effectively communicate these to stakeholders.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information