Strategic Thinking

This video will help you to understand the 3 steps of strategic thinking: analysis, decision-making and implementation.

Subtitles available in the original language of the video.

Duration:

5 minutes

Methodology:

Video

Course ID:

N/A

In this short introduction to strategic thinking skills, learn four basic steps you can take to apply strategic thinking in the workplace.

Subtitles available in the original language of the video.

Duration:

5 minutes

Methodology:

Video

Course ID:

N/A

Thinking is the ability to find information, identify and evaluate solutions to a problem, make decisions, and plan and organize daily tasks. Strong thinking skills are essential to improving success in the workplace (e.g. knowing how to deal with a difficult client or effectively managing your workload).

Use this self-evaluation online tool to better understand your strengths and areas to improve in regards to your thinking skills.

Duration:

20 minutes

Methodology:

Web-based

Course ID:

N/A

This tool provides tips to help you improve your thinking skills with a focus on problem solving, making decisions and planning and organizing tasks. Review each of the tips and practice the ones that are most relevant to your learning needs.

Duration:

1 hour

Methodology:

Web-based

Course ID:

N/A

When drawing conclusions, you analyze and weigh the data and information you have to support taking action. In this course, you will learn about the process of drawing a logical conclusion with the help of questions and diagramming tools.

Duration:

30 minutes

Methodology:

Web-based

Course ID:

D012

Want to discover new ways of doing things, new ideas, or base your decisions on factual data? Access the research methods directory from GCexperimentation. This directory offers introductions on a number of methods used in exploration and experimentation to support you in your projects.

Duration:

Variable

Methodology:

Reading

Course ID:

N/A

Articulating a problem requires asking the right people the right questions. In this course, you will learn about identifying stakeholders, gaining their input and trust, and using analysis techniques to get to the root cause of a problem.

Duration:

30 minutes

Methodology:

Web-based

Course ID:

T041

Part of problem solving is creating alternative solutions. In this course, you will learn how to define ideal states, and generate and evaluate solutions. You will also learn how to recognize and avoid common problem-solving pitfalls.

Duration:

30 minutes

Methodology:

Web-based

Course ID:

D009

In this presentation by Keith Grint, Professor of Public Leadership & Management at the Warwick Business School, learn more about different categories of problems and the appropriate way to navigate through them by using the right management method. This event was recorded on June 1, 2012.

In the search bar of GC campus, write “Grint” to find this video.

The transcription is available in French and in English. Subtitles only available in English.

Duration:

1 hour

Methodology:

Video

Course ID:

N/A

The time has come to make a final decision. In this course, you will learn how to make smart decisions based on key criteria and decision-making styles. You will also learn how to plan, manage, evaluate and celebrate solution implementation.

Duration:

30 minutes

Methodology:

Web-based

Course ID:

D007

This tool includes various problem-solving techniques, activities and worksheets that can help you practice and improve your problem-solving skills.

Duration:

20 minutes

Methodology:

Web-based

Course ID:

N/A

Watch this bus ride to see nine examples of multidisciplinary teams who used a problem solving approach to propose solutions and develop a prototype designed to solve real business problems.

Duration:

6 minutes

Methodology:

Web-based

Course ID:

N/A

René Robin, François Pernin and Daniel Crépin introduce a 7-step problem-solving method, a toolbox and numerous examples in both the private and public sector.

Find this book at your favorite library or purchase it from a book retailer ($40 to $50 depending on format).

Duration:

Variable – 300 pages

Methodology:

Reading

eBook available:

No

Read this book to learn how to use decision mapping—a simple yet rigorous process that leads to effective problem solving—and develop critical thinking, decision-making skills and improve your capacity to effectively communication of decisions.

Find this book at your local library or purchase it from a book retailer ($15 to $30, depending on format).

Duration:

Variable – 100 pages

Methodology:

Reading

eBook available:

Yes

Equivalent:

Handbook of Decision Making by Paul C. Nutt and David C. Wilson.

Learn about a wide range of theoretical and empirical approaches to the understanding of organizational and strategic decisions. This handbook offers a wide variety of perspectives, topics, and summative understanding of the field.

Find this book at your favorite library or purchase it from a book retailer ($70 to $120 depending on format).

Duration:

Variable – 720 pages

Methodology:

Reading

eBook available:

Yes

Equivalent:

"Cartographie décisionnelle, 2e édition: outil pratique d'aide à la décision”, by Jocelyn Benoit.

Haven’t heard of systems thinking? Watch this short video that explains the basics of systems thinking using simple language.

BEE Environmental Communication provides learners with a downloadable glossary of terms used in the video.

Self generated English subtitles are available Along a transcript with, available below the video.

Duration:

5 minutes

Methodology:

Video

Course ID:

N/A

This short video will raise your awareness of the importance of systems thinking and of seeing the big picture.

Self generated French subtitles are available.

Duration:

3 minutes

Methodology:

Video

Course ID:

N/A

Big-picture thinking stretches beyond the short-term to consider how an organization can succeed in the longer term. This course describes how the ideas of systems thinking can help you elevate your perspective, become skillful at making sense of opposites and contradictions, and better understand cause and effect while managing your team. It also explains actions that you can take to encourage big-picture thinking and how understanding the organizational value chain can help you connect to the organization's strategy and strategic plans and implement them more effectively.

Duration:

30 minutes

Methodology:

Web-based

Course ID:

G028

Read this book by Arlette Yatchinovsky, published in 2012, to learn how to quickly take a global look at complex issues. This book provides a solid method and tools that support global thinking and develop a systemic approach across multiple spheres of interest and different levels of control.

Find this book at your local library or purchase it from a book retailer ($30 to $75, depending on format).

Duration:

Variable – 190 pages

Methodology:

Reading

Course ID:

N/A

eBook available:

Yes

Equivalent:

“Systems Thinking for EVERYONE - the Journey from Theory to Making an Impact” by Ockie Bosch and Nam Cao Nguyen.

Read this book by Ockie Bosch and Nam Cao Nguyen, to learn about the basics of systems thinking like the integration of stakeholders, the identification of root causes and developing a “big picture” vision.

Find this book at your local library or purchase it from a book retailer ($10 to $15, depending on format).

Duration:

Variable – 150 pages

Methodology:

Reading

Course ID:

N/A

eBook available:

Yes

Equivalent:

“L'approche systémique: Pour gérer l'incertitude et la complexité” by Arlette Yatchinovsky.

Want to put your new systems thinking skills into practice? This playbook, accompanied by a DVD, presents many different activities to perform to develop and exercise your systems thinking.

Find this book at your local library or purchase it from a book retailer ($15 to $60, depending on format).

Duration:

Variable – 250 pages

Methodology:

Reading

Course ID:

N/A

eBook available:

Yes

This is an online, self-paced, course designed for employees with management responsibilities. Developing a business execution culture challenges leaders to attend to three equally important areas: developing a sound strategy for moving into the future, making sure the team around them is equipped to execute the strategy, and creating an operating plan for people to follow.

This program is designed to help you recognize the leader's role in creating a business execution culture, determine effective business execution characteristics in business situations, recognize effective and ineffective approaches to creating a business execution culture, and choose solutions to execution challenges in business scenarios.

Duration:

2 hours

Methodology:

Web-based

Course ID:

X015

It's important that all professionals in an organization learn how to think strategically to be effective in their management tasks. This course explores the characteristics of strategic thinking as well as the traits you need to be an effective strategic thinker. It also covers how to develop your capacity for thinking strategically while being creative, preparing to deal with complexity, and being aware of what's going on inside and outside your organization.

Duration:

30 minutes

Methodology:

Web-based

Course ID:

G026

This course, designed for directors and experienced managers, contributes to a public service that is inclusive and reflective of Canadian society. It encourages participants to reflect on and discuss their roles in helping to shape a continued renewed work environment and priorities. Participants will benefit from a blended learning approach that supports the development of key leadership competencies; this includes 7 to 10 hours of mandatory pre-course assignments that must be completed before joining the classroom.

Duration:

15 hours

Methodology:

Instructor-led / Classroom

Course ID:

P113

Learn about the theory behind dominant economic thinking and trends in strategy as well practical models. Devenez un as de la stratégie provides concrete examples and case studies so that you can go straight from the book to create well-thought-out global strategic plans.

Find this book at your local library or purchase it from a book retailer ($15 to $30, depending on format).

Duration:

Variable – 215 pages

Methodology:

Reading

Course ID

N/A

eBook available:

Yes

Equivalent:

"Key Management Models, 3rd Edition: The 75+ Models Every Manager Needs to Know”, by Gerben Van Den Berg and Paul Pietersma.

Learn about all of the management models you will ever need to know about. SWOT, PESTEL, Porter, etc. are presented with brevity and clarity, giving you short, practical overviews in an easy-to-use, ready reference format.

Find this book at your local library or purchase it from a book retailer ($30 to $50, depending on format).

Duration:

Variable – 350 pages

Methodology:

Reading

Course ID:

N/A

eBook available:

Yes

Equivalent:

“Devenez un as de la stratégie” by Jean Blaise Mimbang, Christophe Speth, and Thomas Del Marmol.

Did you know that you can further your understanding of strategic thinking through the Gartner (CEB) subscription service? To access a host of articles, discussions and events, all you need to do is:

1. Create an account
2. Search their catalogue with the keywords ‘’strategic planning’’ and ‘’problem solving’’.

Did you know that you have access to the Mouvement québécois de la qualité’s resources? To access a host articles, job-aids and trainings, all you need to do is:

1. Create an account
2. earch their catalogue with the keywords ‘’stratégie’’ ‘’résolution de problèmes’’ and ‘’réflexion’’.