Develop Conceptual Thinking for Problem-Solving (FutureLearn)

On this four-week course featuring content from BigThink, you’ll discover the conceptual thinking framework and learn how to apply it to problems and communicate your analysis in order to problem-solve efficiently and effectively.

You’ll learn from some of the brightest minds in conceptual thinking such as Alan Alda, Charles Duhigg, Leonard Mlodinow, and Nancy Duarte, to name a few.
Discover how to approach and define problem-solving

A common mistake companies make when tackling complex problems is failing to do the pre-work. This can lead to time, energy, and money being wasted because either the team isn’t right or the goals are poorly defined.

This course will guide you through strategies for looking at the problem space with clarity, then assembling a team with the right balance of talents to think creatively and reach consensus.
Explore different critical thinking strategies

We have hardwired tendencies to think within our “comfort zones” which can often cause us to miss opportunities and perspectives that might lead to more creative solutions.

On this course you’ll learn strategies for thinking deeply, considering all stakeholders, seeing the problem through different eyes, evaluating potential risks, and connecting unlikely dots for inspiration.
Develop your communication skills to get buy-in for your solutions

No matter how brilliant your idea might be, communication can mean the difference between success and failure.

You’ll learn to transform your idea into a reality by improving your communication skills to get buy-in from other stakeholders and decision-makers.

Syllabus

Week 1: Approaching

Week 2: Defining

Week 3: Thinking

Week 4: Communication

Learning on this course

You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

- Apply the conceptual thinking framework to a problem of your choice and structure your team to implement it.

- Define the problem you’re facing in clear and succinct terms.

- Apply critical thinking strategies to generate possible solutions.

- Explore how to communicate your analysis of the problem and your proposed solutions in ways that win buy-in from other stakeholders within and outside of your organisation.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for professionals at any stage in their career.

If you’re interested in applying conceptual thinking to your organisation, this course can help you to understand how to tackle complex problems, define goals clearly, and develop effective solutions.