Problem formulation course

Attempts to solve a problem without deep understanding and well formulating it will result in failure or just a short-term solution with consequences to come. The problem-solving gets more challenging and overwhelming in complex issues with several actors and a large amount of information from different sources, a new norm in the digital and big data era.

This course is designed to assist individuals, teams and organizations in problem-solving capability which is a fundamental factor in success. This course covers the basics of different types of problems and their characteristics; the basic elements for a useful problem formulation; common biases and errors in formulating problems and ways to avoid them; validate your problem formulation and underpinning assumptions. Also, the course contains practices and tools for strategies and (re)framing problems.

You will learn to

Recognize different types of problems and their characteristics
Understand the basic elements for a useful problem formulation (i.e., process and outcome)
Identify common biases and errors in formulating problems and ways to avoid them
Validate your problem formulation and underpinning assumptions
Practice strategies and practices for (re)framing problems

No prior knowledge is assumed.

Duration: 1 Day

Delivery Mode: On-campus and remote. You choose how you would like to attend.

What you will receive

UNSW Canberra certificate of completion/attendance
Masters credit: UNSW Canberra allows students who have successfully completed a minimum of 12 days of approved professional education courses to use those courses as credit in eligible postgraduate programs.

Who should attend

The Problem formulation course is for any member or leader in Defence, Industry and Government groups. Problem-solving is an essential skill for individuals and teams however the solutions need to be grounded in evidence. The content in this course can be applied to a range of problem-solving situations from team management and public services decisions to the defence and industry sectors.

Presenter Information

Fateme Zare, Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA) Research Associate

Fateme Zare, Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)
Research Associate

Fateme Zare is a researcher at the University of New South Wales Canberra and an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA). Fateme has more than 10 years of research, teaching and practical experience in model-based decision support processes using Systems Thinking and critical thinking with a focus on the integration of human–natural systems modelling. She has substantial experience in participatory, transdisciplinary and complex research. She has studied the integration of different aspects of problem-solving and modelling. One aspect of her research focuses on using different methodology and techniques to develop a comprehensive problem definition in integrated, interconnected, and complex human-natural systems. Social aspects of the decision-making and human aspect of the process are critical to the structure and evaluate decision support processes and enhance complex systems' robustness.

Course Information

Course Outline

Different types of problems and their characteristics
Problem articulation and decomposition
Understanding problems - fact gathering
The basic elements for a useful problem formulation (i.e., Process and outcome)
Common biases and errors in formulating problems and ways to avoid them
Validation of problem formulation and underpinning assumptions
Practice strategies and practices for (re)framing problems
Effective communication during the problem-solving process

Cancellation policy

Courses will be held subject to sufficient registrations. UNSW Canberra reserves the right to cancel a course up to five working days prior to commencement of the course. If a course is cancelled, you will have the opportunity to transfer your registration or be issued a full refund. If registrant cancels within 10 days of course commencement, a 50% registration fee will apply. UNSW Canberra is a registered ACT provider under ESOS Act 2000-CRICOS provider Code 00098G.