Decision Making and Problem Solving

Problems come in all sizes, from major problems to daily nuisances, and the ability to resolve them, is the heart and soul of every job at every level of an organization. If problems can be solved with greater accuracy, creativity, and confidence, factors that might negatively impact the organization otherwise will be minimized, or even averted entirely. Problem-solving and decision-making often go hand-in-hand with decision-making being especially important for management and leadership. In fact, for many organizations, success depends on the ability of people in positions of leadership to effectively solve problems and make decisions.

The key difference between problem-solving and decision-making is that solving problems is a process, whereas making decisions is an action based on insights derived during the problem-solving process. Many people use the terms problem-solving and decision-making interchangeably, but they are not the same.

This online course describes the concepts and techniques that are important to problem solving in the business environment and the elements of making critical decisions. This includes critical-thinking and creative thinking. This online course will also touch on some important analytical techniques, such as root-cause analysis and brainstorming, as they drive decisions based on problem solving in the business environment.