Effective analytical skills are indispensable for professionals who strive to guide their organizations toward well-informed business decisions rooted in robust evidence. While the complexity of problems may vary, a structured approach can be applied to nearly all situations, bolstering the prospects of long-term organizational success. In this course, participants will learn about various analytical thinking techniques that can mitigate the influence of cognitive biases in decision-making. They will also develop the ability to evaluate different types of data to maximize the reliability of evidence. In addition, this course will equip participants with the ability to synthesize data and construct compelling arguments anchored in logical analysis.
Course Methodology
Various techniques are used in this course, including analyzing business data sets, critiquing several organizational decisions, case study analysis, group discussions, and group presentations.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Describe the principles of analytical thinking and evidence-based decision making
Apply logical reasoning and critical thinking strategies to solve business problems
Evaluate different types of data and evidence in terms of their relevance and reliability
Synthesize information from various sources to create a comprehensive understanding of a problem
Develop logical and structured presentations based on analytical evidence
Target Audience
Analysts, managers, and professionals who are looking to build their analytical skills, as well as those who are interested in improving their decision-making capabilities based on analytical evidence
Target Competencies
Analytical thinking
Critical thinking
Problem solving
Evaluating data
Structuring data
Synthesizing information
Communicating analytical findings
Note
PD Hours/CDU: 20
Course Outline
Introduction to Analytical Thinking
Understanding how we think and reason
Confirmation bias
Analytical versus intuitive thinking
The role of creativity in analytical thinking
Enhancing the analytical thinking process
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
Introduction to critical thinking
Dividing issues into manageable sections
The use of logic trees in problem-solving
Logical fallacies
Critical thinking in a professional context
Understanding and Evaluating Evidence
Types of evidence
Evaluating evidence
Validity, reliability, and bias
The role of statistical literacy
Tools for evidence gathering
Synthesizing Information and Evidence
Techniques for synthesizing information
Comparative analysis
Thematic analysis
Making sense of contradictory evidence
The role of perspective in synthesizing information