This course is about organisational decision-making, and in particular barriers and context insensitivity of decision-making. It covers key concepts in organisational decision-making and managerial decision-making such as decision contexts and the use of tools and techniques to de-bias decision-making, increase critical thinking to suit such contexts, and the use of evidence to support decision-making and the appraisal skills to avoid misinformation. The course develops knowledge and skills for cognitive agility that is a core capability of leadership effectiveness that involves switching modes of thinking, breaking through dominant logic and paradigms that are singular and discipline specific in nature, towards transdisciplinary approach to complex problems in policy and practice. Cognitive agility involves switching cognitive gears and paradoxical leadership to fit context and purpose such as moving between big picture and small details, think in terms of parts and systems, forward thinking and reflective learning, financial to social implications of decision-making.
This is a foundational course in the M Business Administration in Government.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Map the public sector ecosystem, its actors and elements, and its functions, and describe the key barriers to effective decision-making in organisations;
- Describe methods to de-bias decisions and increase decision quality;
- Identify and surface the assumptions and causal logic underpinning beliefs and claims;
- Distinguish cause and effect questions from non-effect questions, and differentiate the concepts of uncertainty, ambiguity and risk, to formulate clear and unambiguous questions about effects and non-effects;
- Recognise and apply methods to increase decision quality, and critically appraise the trustworthiness of evidence based on the type of claim being tested, while avoiding pseudo-science; and
- Use a logic model to frame problems and solutions, and tools and frameworks to make sense of uncertainty.
Indicative Assessment
- Typical assessments may include, but is not restricted to: in-class exercises, written and oral assignments, quizzes, examinations, group project tasks, oral presentation, and other assessment deemed appropriate to show attainment of the learning outcomes set for the course. Further details will be made available via the Class Summary. (100) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Where this course is offered in intensive delivery mode as a continuous block over a shorter period of time, the expected total time commitment for this course will be at least 65 hours for course reading, classes, research, writing and assessment work.
Inherent Requirements
This course has no inherent requirements.
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Research School of Management to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
Information about the prescribed textbook (if any) will be made available via the Class Summary.
Preliminary Reading
Additional information about indicative readings (if any) will be made available via the Class Summary.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 34
- Unit value:
- 3 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 3.00 | 0.06250 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2340 | Standard Rate |
| 2024 | $1860 |
Grandfathered Rate*
*continuing students in nominated programs only. See fee website |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $3000 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.