Problem Structuring Methods

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• use systems thinking skills;
• use problem structuring and solving skills;
• use qualitative modelling skills;
• participate actively in the facilitation and management of change in organisations.
• use, at a basic level of competence, a variety of problem structuring methods;
• use team-work skills;

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• a variety of problem structuring methods and their use within organisations.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• evaluate the suitability of methods for problem structuring and solving and their use within organisations.

• Introduction to problem structuring methods (PSMs).
• Soft systems methodology (SSM).
• Cognitive mapping and strategic options development and analysis (SODA).
• The strategic choice approach (SCA).
• Drama theory and metagame analysis.
• Systems thinking and problem structuring.

Two hours of lectures per week, supported by one hour of weekly classes.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Class discussions

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback: Class discussions should provide formative feedback on their understanding of the material of the module.
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.