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Problem Formulation

You’ll learn types of problems, essential elements of effective problem formulation, common biases and methods to validate your approach, along with practical tools for asking the right questions and identifying root causes. No prior knowledge is required, making it suitable for all backgrounds.

Next Dates: 14 May; View more dates
Duration: 1 day
Delivery mode: In-person or Online
Location: UNSW Canberra City

Price (AUD inc. GST): $1,130
Spots remaining: AVAILABLE

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Course summary

55 minutes to genius solutions

Albert Einstein once said, “If I had only one hour to save the world, I would spend fifty-five minutes defining the problem, and only five minutes finding the solution.”

This course equips participants with essential problem-solving skills, focusing on understanding and defining problems accurately before seeking solutions. You’ll learn how to identify different types of problems, recognise common biases, validate problem formulations and apply practical tools to uncover root causes. Designed for all backgrounds, no prior knowledge is required, making it ideal for building foundational skills in effective problem-solving.

Who will benefit

Professionals across various fields who wish to enhance their problem-solving skills.
Analysts, decision-makers, consultants and anyone involved in addressing complex issues in their work.

Course is suitable for

The course is designed for beginners and assumes no prior knowledge.

Delivered by experts

Ebrahim Aly

Facilitator

Dr. Ebrahim Aly, a research associate at the Capability Systems Centre, UNSW Canberra, specialises in complex systems modeling and developing decision support systems. His research focuses on the resilience and sustainability of socio-technical systems, utilising a wide range of computational and analytical techniques.
Ebrahim applies his knowledge to nurture the development of crucial thinking techniques and modeling skills in professionals, such critical thinking and systems thinking. He combines theoretical knowledge with practical applications, helping professionals address complex problems effectively.
Through his expertise, Dr. Aly's work highlights how the tools and methods of complex systems modeling can be leveraged to empower professionals to navigate and shape their fields with greater acuity.

About the course

Root cause, right answers

Attempting to solve a problem without well-formulating it often leads to failure or short-term solutions with future consequences. This challenge becomes more significant with complex issues involving multiple actors and vast amount of information, typical in the digital and big data era we currently live in. This course is design to enhance the problem-solving capabilities of individuals, teams and organisations, which is crucial for success.

Participants will learn about various types of problems, essential elements of effective problem formulation, common biases and errors and methods to validate problem formulations. Additionally, the course includes practical strategies and tools for asking the right questions and focusing on the root cause of problems.

Why enrol in this course

Strengthen problem-solving foundations

Learn how to clearly define and frame complex problems.

Navigate complexity with confidence

Develop the ability to work through ambiguity, competing perspectives and incomplete information.

Stronger decision-making

Develop disciplined thinking methods that improve judgement and lead to more effective, defensible decisions.

From insight to action

Translate structured thinking into practical action to lead teams through complex challenges.

Key features

Real-world problem contexts

Explore examples and exercises drawn from contemporary organisational, policy and operational challenges.

Structured thinking frameworks

Learn practical methods for problem definition, issue framing, root-cause analysis and systems thinking.

Practical, skills-focused delivery

Engage in applied activities that help translate theory into usable workplace skills.

Learning outcomes

Defining problems, driving solutions

This course explores the critical skill of problem formulation, highlighting its significance in effective problem-solving. You’ll learn to recognise different problem types and apply proven methods and techniques to define problems clearly, using both visual and written representations.

The program also addresses the human factors that can distort thinking, helping you identify common cognitive biases and heuristics and apply strategies to mitigate their impact. You’ll gain practical skills in evaluating data, testing assumptions and crafting precise, well-refined problem statements that lay the foundation for successful solutions.

What you'll learn

On completion of this course, you will be able to recognise the characteristics of different problem types, distinguishing between simple, complicated and complex challenges. You’ll apply a variety of methods and techniques to effectively articulate and represent problems, while identifying and mitigating cognitive biases that can distort analysis.

Additionally, you will assess and prioritise data sources, test and validate assumptions and craft precise, clear problem statements that provide a strong foundation for effective problem-solving.

Topics covered

Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:

Recognise the distinct characteristics of various problem types, differentiating between simple, complicated and complex problems.
Apply diverse methods and techniques to effectively articulate and represent different types of problems.
Identify and address cognitive biases that impact accurate problem identification and formulation.
Assess and prioritize data sources to gather the most relevant information.
Test and validate problem formulations and their underlying assumptions.
Write precise and clear problem statements.