The idea behind Solving Complex Problems is: analysing situations, training and teaching people, coaching, guiding and facilitating them towards good decisions. This is important, because when problems become highly complex, how do you know you are solving the problem you or your client are actually experiencing? How do you include the different insights and interests of those involved? What needs to be done to reach a desired future, rather than a future you fear or dislike? People are best motivated to act upon complex problems when the essence of the problem is captured in a simple way. This book presents you with the basic techniques to do so. Applying these techniques will help you and your client to understand and oversee the problem and, eventually, to make decisions and act in situations in which it is not at all obvious what to do.

Contents

The techniques in Solving Complex Problems cover:

rational problem analysis
creative idea generation
dealing with uncertainty
comparing different possible solutions.

The techniques suggested can be applied to many different problem fields, and can be used when you need to analyse a problem situation. The techniques will help to make the problem situation clear to both yourself and your colleagues, clients or other people involved. The book can be used as a guide when you start exploring your problems with the techniques presented. Each technique is accompanied by a section on common mistakes to give you the opportunity to check your own analysis.

The authors have combined their joint passion for teaching and their experience in analysing complex systems in writing Solving Complex Problems.

New edition

The second edition of this book is completely revised. It is even more targeted at students in higher education. The price is a bit lower and it has a comfortable size.

Extra material

You can follow the Popular Massive Open Online Course on this subject.

Target group