Develop Conceptual Thinking for Problem-Solving (FutureLearn)

Offered by FutureLearn,
Develop Conceptual Thinking for Problem-Solving (FutureLearn)

Use critical thinking and the conceptual thinking framework to approach problems effectively and communicate your solutions. Learn to solve complex problems with strategic thinking
Life and business are getting faster and more complex every day. The faster pace ramps up the pressure to act quickly but this complexity demands careful, strategic, conceptual thinking, which takes time.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

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.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Finance Fundamentals: Investment Theory and Practice (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
The Open University

Finance Fundamentals: Investment Theory and Practice (FutureLearn)


Look at the investment choices open to you, and the risks and returns of each. Start managing your financial future effectively. Ensure your investments are effective and match your risk-return appetite. Research shows that UK households are poor at investment management, with a limited understanding of choices, risks and returns. This could mean that many people cannot afford to retire in future.

No sessions available
4 Weeks
How to Survive on Mars: the Science Behind the Human Exploration of Mars (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Monash University

How to Survive on Mars: the Science Behind the Human Exploration of Mars (FutureLearn)

Learn the basic science needed for humans to survive on Mars, with this free online science course. Mars has captivated the human imagination since the very earliest civilisations. It is the most explored planet in the solar system and that is unlikely to change. Getting to Mars is relatively easy, surviving on Mars will be the real challenge.

No sessions available
4 Weeks
Critical Thinking at University: An Introduction (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Leeds

Critical Thinking at University: An Introduction (FutureLearn)

Critical thinking is a vital skill for university study whatever your discipline. Prepare for university now. Make sure you have the critical thinking skills required for university. Critical thinking is a vital skill at university and later in life. University study introduces you to new concepts, ways of learning and requires you to think critically. You need to know how to question information sources and how to evaluate different arguments.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
Emergency Management: Risk, Incidents and Leadership (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Coventry University

Emergency Management: Risk, Incidents and Leadership (FutureLearn)

An introduction to managing risk and providing leadership during emergency incidents. Emergency managers understand the importance of managing risks during dynamic incidents. This online course will provide you with an introduction to the concepts, issues, processes and structures relevant to the management of risk during the emergency phase of an incident.

No sessions available
2 Weeks
Preparing for University (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of East Anglia

Preparing for University (FutureLearn)

Build the academic skills you need for learning at university and ease your transition from school learning to higher education. Develop writing, critical thinking, and analytical skills for university study. Learning at a university level requires enhanced critical thinking skills, as well as being able to hold a supported, substantive argument and critically analyse sources or data.

Self Paced
5-12 Weeks
Climate Intelligence: Using Climate Data to Improve Business Decision-Making (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Reading

Climate Intelligence: Using Climate Data to Improve Business Decision-Making (FutureLearn)

Build climate resilience in your business as you learn how climate intelligence helps make decisions that mitigate risks. How exposed is your organisation to climate risk? Climate and weather projections hold the data that businesses need both to evaluate the risk climate change poses and to mitigate that risk. However, interpreting this data can be challenging. On this two-week course, you’ll learn how to identify relevant and reliable climate data for your business and explore how that raw data can be converted into information that connects with the particular operational and financial decisions you face.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
Using Creative Problem Solving (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
National Chiao Tung University

Using Creative Problem Solving (FutureLearn)

Learn how to solve everyday problems using creativity with this online course about hands-on Creative Problem Solving. Explore Creative Problem Solving for daily life and in the workplace. In a world that seems to be changing faster than ever, problem-solving skills are essential - but traditional approaches are not always enough. On this course you’ll explore Creative Problem Solving, discovering how creativity and different approaches can help you in daily life and give you a competitive edge in the workplace.

Self Paced
4 Weeks
Using Virtual Scenarios to Create Effective Learning (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
St George's, University of London,Waves

Using Virtual Scenarios to Create Effective Learning (FutureLearn)

Learn how to use virtual scenarios to help people practice their decision making and prepare for real world challenges. Virtual scenarios are online educational resources which help learners explore real world decisions, making both good judgements and errors in a safe environment. They are used to prepare professionals to deal with a range of workplace challenges.

Self Paced
3 Weeks
World of Spies: Keeping Secrets (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Purdue University

World of Spies: Keeping Secrets (FutureLearn)

Get a taste of spy training, and learn how you can keep your secrets safe with a course designed for 13-18 year olds. What does it take to be a spy? Strong critical thinking and communication skills, a firm grasp of logic, and a love of puzzles are all useful. This course will help you develop those abilities while exploring the exciting world of espionage. You’ll learn about code-making and breaking, encryption, logical thinking and more as you find out whether you would make a good spy.

No sessions available
4 Weeks
Research Ethics and Vulnerability: Ethical Research in Adults with Impaired Decision-Making Capacity (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Malaya

Research Ethics and Vulnerability: Ethical Research in Adults with Impaired Decision-Making Capacity (FutureLearn)

Learn how to conduct ethical research with adults who have impaired decision-making capacity. Effectively protect research participants with impaired decision-making capacity. It is your responsibility to protect research participants. Those who have impaired decision-making capacity are incapable of giving informed consent. They may not be able to protect their own interests and merit special consideration by researchers and research ethics committees.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
Impact of Technology: How To Lead Classroom Discussions (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Raspberry Pi Foundation,National Centre for Computing Education

Impact of Technology: How To Lead Classroom Discussions (FutureLearn)

Learn how to keep 14-16 year-old students engaged in discussions while teaching computer science. Supported by Google. Discover how to keep discussions productive and meaningful in the classroom. On this course, teachers will explore the ethical, legal, cultural, and environmental concerns surrounding computer science. You will build the skills needed to hold relevant, open, and exciting discussions in the classroom.

Nov 1st 2021
3 Weeks