26844 Structured Thinking and Planning
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 3 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject focuses on developing students’ structured thinking and planning skills. It is highly applied and framed as a consulting project, through which students learn and apply structured thinking and planning concepts, tools and techniques. Students choose a context to work with and propose and undertake a small project with the objective of offering recommendations and a plan for addressing a complex challenge. They conduct structured research and analysis to evaluate customer needs, organisational resources, capabilities, processes and revenue streams, the competitive environment and relevant trends and technologies. Based on insights from their research, they chose a problem-solving approach and design a high-level strategic plan for addressing the complex challenge.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 1. | Apply structured thinking and planning tools to identify challenges and create solutions |
|---|---|
| 2. | Research and critically assess different data types to gain in-depth insights relevant to specific challenges |
| 3. | Construct and effectively communicate a strategic narrative |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject is designed to help students develop a suitable understanding of structured thinking and planning skills. The specific tools being applied help students develop judgement and critical analysis skills and foster creativity in developing a plan for addressing complex challenges.
This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attribute(s):
- Intellectual rigour and innovative problem solving
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject is delivered through a mix of online learning, three live online webinars and online consultations.
Students have access to online resources, and self-directed learning activities and are expected to study online content provided via the UTS learning management system. They are required to complete online learning activities, which will help identify knowledge gaps and inform discussions. Webinars are designed to present the theory and practice of the subject’s content. Students are required to complete pre-work activities before attending webinars. Discussions focus on the application of concepts, techniques and tools.
Ongoing general and individual feedback will be provided throughout the subject via consultation sessions. A summative assessment provides feedback on students' comprehension and application of learning. Students also receive formal feedback on assessment tasks.
Content (topics)
- Structured and strategic thinking
- Biases in problem solving
- Tools for structured analysis and problem solving
- Structured narrative and an implementation roadmap
- Wicked problems
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Individual project plan (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 3 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | up to 15 slides |
| Criteria: |
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Assessment task 2: Individual project (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 3 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 60% |
| Length: | up to 30 slides, 3 min recorded video pitch |
| Criteria: |
|
Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.
References
Baden-Fuller, C., and Haefliger, S. (2013). Business models and technological innovation. Long range planning, 46(6), 419-426.
Daniel, K. (2017). Thinking, fast and slow.
Garrette et al. (2018) Cracked it!: How to solve big problems and sell solutions like top strategy consultants
Kimbell, L. (2014). The service innovation handbook: action-oriented creative thinking toolkit for service organizations. BIS publishers.
Stanley, D. and Castles, G. (2017) The so what strategy: Introducing classic storylines that answer one of the most uncomfortable questions in business