Judgment and Decision Making

An organization’s success depends largely upon its leaders’ capacity for making strong and informed judgments. However, many leaders often rely on previously established patterns and habits (the precedent) when making a decision without considering all available information. It is hard work to consistently apply conscientious judgment and decision-making skills, but this is the hallmark of a successful leader. There are several components relevant to judgment and decision-making that most are unaware of. System 1 (fast, automatic, and implicit) and System 2 (effortful, logical, explicit) thinking guide judgment and decision making. This course explores the components affecting judgment and decision making, such as heuristics and biases, bounded awareness, and framing. Participants become more cognizant of their own patterns of thought as well as the correct times for utilizing System 2 thinking instead of subconsciously resorting to System 1 thinking. The course provides participants with skills for enhanced consistency and effectiveness in making judgments and decisions.

Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the elements of the critical decision-making process and distinguish effective from ineffective examples
• Identify System 1 and System 2 thinking
• Discern times for applying System 2 thinking
• Clarify the purpose of the decision, evaluate alternatives, and assess risks
• Identify the value of intuition and pattern recognition in making informed, effective decisions
• Identify decision making traps and employ techniques for avoiding these traps
• Make sense of ambiguous situations by visualizing the ideal future state
• Enhance creativity by creating a climate that nurtures creativity and limiting the common organizational obstacles to creativity
• Acknowledge and address personal and organizational indecisiveness
• Evaluate the impact of past experiences in making the right or best decision
• Evaluate the decision by applying a potential problem analysis
• Identify potential problems with the chosen alternative and take appropriate preventive or contingent actions

Register 21 days before class start date and save 10%! Enter discount code EARLY10 during registration.

Register 21 days before class start date and save $250! Enter discount code EARLY250 during registration.

Is there a discount available for current students?

UMBC students and alumni, as well as students who have previously taken a public training course with UMBC Training Centers are eligible for a 10% discount, capped at $250. Please provide a copy of your UMBC student ID or an unofficial transcript or the name of the UMBC Training Centers course you have completed. Asynchronous courses are excluded from this offer.

What is the cancellation and refund policy?

Student will receive a refund of paid registration fees only if UMBC Training Centers receives a notice of cancellation at least 10 business days prior to the class start date for classes or the exam date for exams.