Effective Decision Making (Online)
Explore techniques and tools to support managerial decision-making Book ConsultationApply NowEffective Decision Making (Online)
Explore techniques and tools to support managerial decision-making Book ConsultationApply NowRecommended Background
No specific experience or qualifications required.
University Entrance (or equivalent required for admission)
Only available to NZ citizens and permanent residents over 20 years old.
Duration
10 weeks
Next start dates
6 January 2025 (2025 Quarter One)
Enrolment closes one week before the course starts. Apply early to secure your spot.
Domestic Fees*
$1,370.40 (estimate)
Why is this online course right for you?
This course is part of the Postgraduate Diploma in Business (PGDipBus) and may also be taken as a course-only study option. It explores techniques and tools to support and facilitate managerial decision-making. You will build your skills and understanding of organisations and their problems through numerical analysis.
Upon completion, students who wish to progress their studies further towards a formal qualification may count this course towards the Postgraduate Diploma in Business (entry criteria and time limits apply).
Course Structure
This course provides a range of techniques and tools that will build your skill in understanding the business and that will support your managerial decision-making based on a consolidated analysis which includes numerical analyses. Real-world case studies and practical examples are used to explore the application of these techniques and tools.
You will build the skills needed to develop a critical thinking approach for effective, innovative problem solving and decision making using a structured framework and strategic approach to achieve the goals and objectives of the business. You will advance your presentation and written communication skills, including providing visual content to support effective decision-making.
| Managerial decision-making | In this module you will learn about the decision-making process and the types of decisions managers can make. There is a focus on the five steps of ethical decision-making, as well as implementing decision results and evaluating the consequences of decisions made. | ||
| SWOT analysis and value chain analysis | Over the next few modules you will explore decision-making tools used to make informed decisions within a business environment, starting with SWOT analysis. This decision-making tool is used to analyse internal factors such as strengths and weaknesses as well as external factors such as opportunities and threats affecting an organisation. You will also delve into value chain analysis, which is the process of looking at activities that go into changing the inputs for a product or service into an output that is valued by the customer. | ||
| Porter’s five forces | This module is focused on the five forces that shape competition, including rivalry among existing competitors, bargaining power of customers, bargaining power of suppliers, the threat of substitute products and the threat of new entrants. | ||
| Risk identification analysis | In this module you will perform a risk identification analysis. This is a decision-making tool used to identify and assess the risks involved in the decisions we need to make. Risk management is essential to the strategic and policy decisions made in a business as it helps to prevent financial losses and optimise revenue. | ||
| Interpreting ratio analysis | Ratio analysis is a tool that will improve your understanding of financial results and trends, which consequently provide key indicators of financial performance. In this module you will learn how to analyse and interpret ratios and identify trends and describe the potential impact each ratio may have on the financial performance of the business. | ||
| Practical decision-making: extended exercises | The focus of this week is on the application of decision-making tools. You will complete practical decision-making exercises, which is an extension of the analysis undertaken in Modules 1 to 5 on the respective case studies. | ||
| Assignment 1 | This week is an opportunity to work on your first assignment, which is a video presentation on change in customer behaviour. No new learning material will be introduced this week. Instead, you will be provided with information and supporting resources needed to complete your assignment. | ||
| Data-driven decision making in business | In this module, you will learn about data-driven decision making (DDDM). This is a process that involves collecting data based on measurable goals, analysing the patterns, and making informed and effective decisions based on the interpretation of the outcome of the analysis performed. | ||
| Presenting information for decision-making | In this module you will learn how to identify and analyse key financial data to assist in the decision-making process. You will focus on how to evaluate and communicate the results of data analysis to provide relevant information for decision-making. | ||
| Assignment 2 | This week is an opportunity to work on your second assignment, which is a report and dashboard on data-driven decision-making. No new learning material will be introduced this week. Instead, you will be provided with information and supporting resources needed to complete your assignment. |
Programme Structure
This course provides a range of techniques and tools that will build your skill in understanding the business and that will support your managerial decision-making based on a consolidated analysis which includes numerical analyses. Real-world case studies and practical examples are used to explore the application of these techniques and tools.
You will build the skills needed to develop a critical thinking approach for effective, innovative problem solving and decision making using a structured framework and strategic approach to achieve the goals and objectives of the business. You will advance your presentation and written communication skills, including providing visual content to support effective decision-making.
Managerial decision-making
In this module you will learn about the decision-making process and the types of decisions managers can make. There is a focus on the five steps of ethical decision-making, as well as implementing decision results and evaluating the consequences of decisions made.
SWOT analysis and value chain analysis
Over the next few modules you will explore decision-making tools used to make informed decisions within a business environment, starting with SWOT analysis. This decision-making tool is used to analyse internal factors such as strengths and weaknesses as well as external factors such as opportunities and threats affecting an organisation. You will also delve into value chain analysis, which is the process of looking at activities that go into changing the inputs for a product or service into an output that is valued by the customer.
Porter’s five forces
This module is focused on the five forces that shape competition, including rivalry among existing competitors, bargaining power of customers, bargaining power of suppliers, the threat of substitute products and the threat of new entrants.
Risk identification analysis
In this module you will perform a risk identification analysis. This is a decision-making tool used to identify and assess the risks involved in the decisions we need to make. Risk management is essential to the strategic and policy decisions made in a business as it helps to prevent financial losses and optimise revenue.
Interpreting ratio analysis
Ratio analysis is a tool that will improve your understanding of financial results and trends, which consequently provide key indicators of financial performance. In this module you will learn how to analyse and interpret ratios and identify trends and describe the potential impact each ratio may have on the financial performance of the business.
Practical decision-making: extended exercises
The focus of this week is on the application of decision-making tools. You will complete practical decision-making exercises, which is an extension of the analysis undertaken in Modules 1 to 5 on the respective case studies.
Assignment 1
This week is an opportunity to work on your first assignment, which is a video presentation on change in customer behaviour. No new learning material will be introduced this week. Instead, you will be provided with information and supporting resources needed to complete your assignment.
Data-driven decision making in business
In this module, you will learn about data-driven decision making (DDDM). This is a process that involves collecting data based on measurable goals, analysing the patterns, and making informed and effective decisions based on the interpretation of the outcome of the analysis performed.
Presenting information for decision-making
In this module you will learn how to identify and analyse key financial data to assist in the decision-making process. You will focus on how to evaluate and communicate the results of data analysis to provide relevant information for decision-making.
Assignment 2
This week is an opportunity to work on your second assignment, which is a report and dashboard on data-driven decision-making. No new learning material will be introduced this week. Instead, you will be provided with information and supporting resources needed to complete your assignment.
Course Benefits
Students who complete this course will be able to:
- Collect, analyse and independently reflect on business information to provide a consolidated analysis which ethically supports the recommended decision
- Apply critical thinking using a structured framework and strategic approach to solve problems and make effective decisions
- Develop practical and innovative solutions to identified and defined problems
- Add value sharing expertise in evidenced based decision making and engage diverse audiences by communicating professionally using multiple formats
- Apply self-management and critical thinking to make better decisions that will achieve clearly defined business outcomes and reflect on the process.
Upon successful completion of the course you will:
- Be awarded with 15 credit points from the University of Auckland
- Have the option to take your credit into the PGDipBus (entry criteria and time limits apply)
Frequently asked questions about this course
Application FAQs
What are the entry requirements?
This course is designed for working professionals. To be admitted you must meet the requirements to study at a New Zealand University (e.g. through University Entrance or an alternative entrance pathway).
What is the date for the next intake?
The next start date for this course is 6 January 2025. Enrolment closes one week before the course starts. Enrol early to secure your spot.
Is the course fee a one-off lump sum?
Yes, the course fee is a one-off sum.
Is this course open to non-resident students?
No. Currently University of Auckland Online Certificates of Proficiency are only open to NZ citizens and permanent residents.
Studying FAQs
Can I study the course in my own time? Is it suitable for those working full-time?
Yes. You can study at a time that suits you (within the allocated course dates). University of Auckland Online courses are designed for working professionals. They are flexible yet structured to help you gain the knowledge in the time you have.
How is the course structured?
The course will run over 10 weeks and will comprise 10 weekly modules. Further details on the course structure can be found under the ‘Course Structure’ tab further up on this page.
Assessment FAQs
How will I be assessed?
Learners will be assessed through a combination of activities that address the learning objectives from each of the modules in the course. These will comprise a video presentation and report and dashboard.
Benefits FAQs
What is a Certificate of Proficiency (CoP)?
A Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) is a course-only study option that allows you to take a course at the University of Auckland, without studying a full programme. It is a good option for those who want to study short-term or to test whether a subject is something they wish to pursue more of in the future.
Does the course enable me to take further study at the University?
If you decide to progress your studies further towards a full qualification, you can apply to reassign the points from your CoP to the PGDipBus (entry criteria and time limits apply).
How many course credits will I attain upon completion of the course?
Upon completion of the course, you will be awarded with 15 credit points from the University of Auckland.
Do I get a certificate at the end?
As a Certificate of Proficiency is not a formal qualification, you will not be able to graduate with it or receive a graduation certificate. Your results will be recorded on your official academic transcript, providing evidence of your study.
Start Your University Application
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These details enable us to provide you with ongoing information about this course, including exciting updates or any upcoming webinars. Our advisors may also contact you to see if you require any personalised advice to guide you through the application process.
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