Decision Making with Problem Solving & Critical Thinking

Name: Decision Making with Problem Solving & Critical Thinking
Rating: 4.5 (2962 reviews)

Leveraging the Power of Critical and Strategic Thinking for Better Problem Solving and Effective Decision Making

Role Play

Created byDiogo Alves de Resende

Last updated 6/2026

English

What you'll learn

Analyze complex problems to develop effective problem-solving skills.
Apply analytical thinking to develop strategic planning processes.
Assess the impact of cognitive biases on decision making.
Develop critical thinking skills to identify potential issues and implement solutions.
Formulate strategies for approaching complex problems and making decisions.
Identify and utilize analytical tools to enhance problem-solving skills.
Implement effective problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios.
Improve decision-making skills through critical thinking exercises.
Synthesize critical thinking, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills for enhanced decision-making.
Develop a framework for making strategic decisions based on analytical thinking and problem-solving techniques.

Course content

6 sections • 48 lectures • 2h 49m total length

Decision Making with Problem Solving and Critical Thinking1:46
Develop data-driven decision making and problem solving skills using matrices and ROI calculations. Apply critical thinking to real-life case studies for business success.
Introduction2:58
Course Materials0:08
Diogo's Introduction and Background2:29
Overcoming luck: the Baltimore Stockbroker3:48

Game Plan for Decision Making1:11
Unpack a game plan for decision making by exploring why we avoid risks, and how narrow framing, loss aversion, uncertainty aversion, and utility shape choices, left and right brain roles.
Narrow Framing Effect7:08
Identify how narrow framing narrows choices when faced with two options in business decisions. Broaden your approach by considering multiple strategies, including mixing options, to improve short-term and long-term outcomes.
Loss Aversion4:27
Uncertainty Aversion3:55
System 1 and 27:02
The Halo Effect2:56
Utility3:55
CASE STUDY: How Netflix Reinvented HR2:30
Meeting with the CMO
About the role playing...0:06
Introducing Your AI Assistant6:34
Discover how this course's AI assistant delivers on-demand feedback for assignments, guiding you through case studies with five questions and actionable acceptance criteria.
AI Assistant: Tentacle Tents0:45
CAPSTONE PROJECT: Tentacle Tents
Will you help me?0:52
Boost the course by completing the next lecture's feedback form, sharing what fires you up and what's missing, and keep energy high as you power through the rest.
Your feedback is valuable0:14

Game Plan for Decision Making Techniques1:30
Return on Investment (ROI)2:29
Calculate return on investment by dividing net gain by cost and multiplying by 100. Use ROI to guide resource allocation, noting Coca-Cola and Nike may require high thresholds (e.g., 50%).
EXERCISE: Coffee Shop5:20
Analyze return on investment in a coffee shop scenario by evaluating a $2,000 espresso machine and $10 daily incremental sales. Determine payback within a one-year window to guide decision making.
Return on Investment (ROI)
Expected Value3:36
EXERCISE: Candy Store4:43
Expected Value
Compounding4:38
Explore compounding and the snowball effect of interest on principal across yearly, quarterly, and monthly periods, with a simple formula and practical examples to maximize growth.
EXERCISE: Savings Plan3:57
Compounding
Net Present Value5:59
Explore net present value as a time value of money tool, using cash inflows, initial investment, and a discount rate to assess investment viability and ROI.
Excel - Should Amazon Build a Warehouse in Antarctica?4:43
Analyze the feasibility of a hypothetical Amazon warehouse in Antarctica using net present value analysis, cash flows, and the discount rate to determine profitability and decision criteria.
Net Present Value
The Limitations of NPV and how to Improve Investment Decisions3:39
Explore the limitations of net present value and strengthen investment decisions with sensitivity analysis, scenario planning, real option analysis, decision trees, and Monte Carlo simulations.
Decision Making Matrix6:23
Use decision making matrices to simplify complex choices, applying the McKinsey seven framework and the BCG matrix to assess strategy, structure, systems, values, skills, and staff for aligned decisions.
EXERCISE: Picking My Next Online Course12:51
Evaluate course options using a decision making matrix focused on demand, competition, effort, evergreen content, and maintenance to guide online course creation decisions.
CASE STUDY: Utility, Not Dollars4:27
CASE STUDY: Machine Learning Knows Your Family Better Than You2:59
Gambler's Fallacy and Regression to the Mean: The Triumph of Mediocrity3:43

Game Plan for Cognitive Biases2:17
Confirmation Bias: Reading The Newspaper3:09
Anchoring Bias: Getting More From Negotiations3:04
Linear Bias: We will be obese. Wait, what?4:00
Explore linear bias and precision bias in data interpretation, showing why extrapolating obesity trends is misleading, and why non-linear patterns and population validity matter.
Survivorship Bias: Mutual Funds Assessment3:25
Selection Bias: Ivy League Students2:30
Analyze selection bias in evaluating Harvard versus non-Harvard outcomes using a comparable control group and matching, finding that motivation and circumstances often matter more than the diploma.
Mutual Causality Bias: Police and Crime Rate Case Study4:32
AI Assistant: A Career at a Crossroads0:45
A Career at a Crossroads

Game Plan to Become a Better Decision-Maker3:01
Improve decision making with four principles: judge decisions by what you knew at the time, keep solutions simple, use artificial intelligence and analytics, and seek diverse perspectives to avoid groupthink.
Don't Judge a Decision By Its Outcome: Hindsight Bias4:27
Spot and avoid hindsight bias in decision making by evaluating choices based on information available at the time and considering multiple scenarios. Learn from failures to improve future decisions.
Keep It Simple, Sherlock: Zeno's Paradox5:38
Explore Zeno's paradox of motion, and resolve it with practical experimentation, as Diogenes the cynic shows you can finish, and a simple math view using 0.999....
Wall-E Is Your Friend: Decision Making in the Age of AI2:45
Go For Colors: Avoid Group Thinking3:57
Go for colors highlights embracing diversity to improve decision making, problem solving, and innovation; diverse teams reduce unethical behavior and group polarization while generating varied ideas for better outcomes.
End of Course Feedback0:11

Requirements

None

Description

Welcome to "Decision Making with Problem Solving & Critical Thinking," an immersive course designed to arm you with the techniques, principles, and tools to make sound decisions and solve complex problems in both professional and personal settings.

Dive Deep into the Art & Science of Decision Making

Our journey begins with a captivating real-world story in "Overcoming Luck: The Baltimore Stockbroker," setting the stage for our deep dive into the art and science of decision-making. From understanding cognitive processes to examining our inherent biases, we'll unravel the secrets behind how we make decisions, and more importantly, how we can make them better.

Unlock Key Techniques for Decision Making

In this course, you will learn how to:

Understand and avoid common decision-making pitfalls like narrow framing and uncertainty aversion.
Apply key techniques like the ROI approach, Expected Value, and the use of a Decision Making Matrix in real-world scenarios.
Recognize and overcome cognitive biases like confirmation bias and anchoring bias.
Effectively utilize Artificial Intelligence and predictive analytics in your decision-making process.

Learn by Doing with Real-World Scenarios

Practical exercises, such as deciding on an investment in a new Amazon warehouse, will complement the theoretical learning, allowing you to put these techniques to the test. You'll get the chance to grapple with real-world scenarios that bring these concepts to life, allowing you to master them effectively.

Overcome Cognitive Biases

This course is structured in five comprehensive sections, each diving into crucial aspects of decision-making and problem-solving. You'll journey from understanding the core of how we make decisions, through exploring key techniques, and uncovering our cognitive biases, finally landing on actionable strategies for becoming a better decision-maker.

Your Personal Guide: Combining Academic Knowledge with Industry Experience

Your guide on this journey is an experienced instructor with a rich background in decision sciences, bringing not just academic knowledge, but also industry experience to the table. I'll weave in examples from my own experiences, helping you see these principles in action.

Join the Journey to Master Decision Making

Join me on this journey to master decision-making and problem-solving and unlock a vital skill set that's indispensable in today's complex world. By the end of this course, you'll be well-equipped with a range of techniques and tools, ready to make sound decisions and solve problems efficiently and effectively. Let's start this journey together. Enroll today!

Who this course is for:

Business professionals who want to enhance their problem-solving and decision-making skills to improve their performance in their current roles.
Entrepreneurs who want to develop strategies for identifying and solving problems in their businesses.
Project managers who want to develop strategic thinking skills to improve project outcomes.
Leaders who want to learn how to make strategic decisions to drive organizational growth and impact.
Consultants who want to develop problem-solving and decision-making skills to better serve their clients.

Decision Making with Problem Solving & Critical Thinking

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction5 lectures • 11min

How to we make decisions?14 lectures • 42min

Key techniques for Decision Making and Problem Solving15 lectures • 1hr 11min

Cognitive Biases8 lectures • 24min

How to Become a Better Decision-Maker6 lectures • 20min

What's Next?1 lecture • 2min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: