Professional Skills
Effective decision-making skills
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As managers we make decisions every day. Many of these are simple and routine, but take up a great deal of our time.
Others are more complex, involving strategic actions: launching a new product into a new market, investing funds or opening a new business unit. This sort of decision can carry risks, especially in a climate that is experiencing turbulent changes and great unpredictability.
In this course we explore how you can reduce the time you spend on routine decision-making. This allows you to spend more time on considering the more challenging strategic decisions that you face.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | GB077 |
| Credit points | This is a non-credit bearing course. |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
What you will study
You will be introduced to a range of practical tools that you can use alone or with your team, to ensure that you are solving the right problem and making more effective decisions. We will help you to consider the risks associated with the decisions you take and work out how you can manage these more effectively.
Some decisions are so complex or require such specialist knowledge that you may not be able to solve them alone or with your team. You may find that you need to employ a consultant or adviser to assist you. It is important to know how to appoint a consultant so that you can gain the maximum benefit from the engagement. We look at the advantages and disadvantages of using consultants and advisers, and how to do so effectively.
The course has five sections:
- Understanding decision making.
- Tools and techniques for tackling complex decisions.
- Identifying and managing risk.
- Using consultants and advisors.
- Bringing it all together.
After studying this course you will be able to:
- identify routine decisions and deal with them quickly and appropriately
- understand a range of approaches to structured decision making and when it is appropriate to use them
- identify complex and strategic problems and understand how to apply a range of problem-solving tools to tackle more difficult and ambiguous problems in your workplace
- appreciate the process of identifying and managing risk
- recognise when to consider the use of consultants and advisers to help you with the decision-making process, and know how to use them efficiently and effectively.
The strong link between course learning and your work practice creates relevant, enduring and transferable outcomes. It requires no more than 30 hours of your time in total, over whatever period suits you. But the learning is far richer than more expensive one- to three-day workshops. Register online today and start tomorrow – no need to wait!
The course features the distinctive strengths of The Open University (OU) from its years of expertise in work-based learning:
- The convenience of accessing its clearly presented and sequenced materials, activities and support whenever suits you and wherever you have access to the dedicated website – if you prefer, you can print key materials to work on them offline.
- The support of an expert learning adviser who can clarify study materials, answer questions and help you relate the course to your specific needs.
- A work-based activity helping you to connect the course to your individual and organisational context and needs. At the end of the course you send this to the learning adviser, who provides personal feedback.
- Certification of completion from the OU for those who complete the course. You can use this to demonstrate your continuing professional development (CPD) activity to your employer and/or professional body. (NB The course does not carry academic credit points.)
Entry
Although there are no formal academic requirements to study any of our CPD courses, you are expected to have some experience in the field and the course assumes a familiarity with the subject.
For each course you can register and begin at any time during the life of the course. You can study at your own pace and submit your work-based activity at any date before the final submission date for the course. Information about the final submission date is available when you register for the course.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The study materials are delivered wholly online. Learners who use screen readers or who cannot use a mouse will not be able to access some materials or some activities without assistance. Written transcripts of the audio interviews are available on the website. If you are a new learner with the OU, make sure that you have our publication Meeting Your Needs.
Study materials
What's included
All learning materials, exercises, study support and the work-based activity are delivered entirely online.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Learner support
Expert, confidential learner support is available when you need it from a learning adviser, who will respond to you direct within 24 hours. Other support is available via the GB077 forum, library, StudentHome website and computing helpdesk.
Work-based activity
The work-based activity for this course has been designed as an integrated ongoing activity that you submit at the end of your study. It will allow you to reflect on your learning and how to use it in your professional work.
Professional recognition
Successful completion of the course enables us to recognise your achievement of the course learning by issuing an OU certificate that you can use to document your commitment to continuing professional development in your personal portfolio, or to provide evidence to employers or professional body.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | GB077 |
| Credit points | This is a non-credit bearing course. |
Study explained
- Special fee arrangements
- - the OU has relationships with many professional bodies, and as part of those relationships members may be entitled to special fee arrangements.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Your questions
We may have already answered it in our frequently asked questions.
Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90+44(0) 845 366 60 35
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