We live in an era of unprecedented complexity, where routine decisions are easy, but complex ones demand careful thought. Navigating volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments requires recognising intricate systems and facing challenges with no clear answers. This masterclass explores strategies for professionals to thrive in these environments and make informed decisions.

Houston, we have a problem!

We are living in an era of unprecedented complexity and interconnectedness. Some decisions we make might be so routine that we may make them without giving them much thought, but challenging or complex decisions demand much more consideration.

It takes practice to recognise complex systems, and the challenges that come with embracing the unknown and facing novel situations that have many variables, with no one right answer. These are volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) environments, and they present unique challenges and opportunities for professionals and their teams.

How do you make effective decisions amidst:

• Multiple and, at times, competing factors in play
• Gaps in information or data
• New situations
• No single right answer
• High stakes and big consequences
• Stakeholder-rich environments

Don’t despair – our masterclass in Understanding and Solving Complex Business Problems will provide evidence-based approaches to clearly identify the problem at hand and help participants apply effective decision making in VUCA environments.

This masterclass aims to provide participants with:

• A better understanding of the forms of complexity and some methods for managing them.
• An appreciation of how complex problems differ from difficult problems and some approaches specifically designed to address these messy, wicked problems.
• An understanding and hands-on experience of an approach which takes a systems thinking perspective and thus allows for deeper and holistic understanding of the situation as well as assisting with the identification and assessment of options.

• An opportunity to work on a current complex problem.

   

Who is the program for?

This program is designed for those in public, not-for-profit and private organisations who have decision-making responsibility and who are looking for fresh ideas to resolve organisational problems. You might be in project management, a COO, operations, marketing, innovation, strategy, product development, CEO, MD or a Board Member. This program provides participants with tools and techniques that are easily adopted and implemented into organisational practice.

Not for this course.