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    • Decision Making

    Decision Making Courses Online

    Explore decision-making techniques for personal and professional growth. Learn to make informed and strategic decisions using data and analysis.

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    Explore the Decision Making Course Catalog

    • E

      Eindhoven University of Technology

      Process Mining: Data science in Action

      Skills you'll gain: Process Analysis, Process Improvement, Business Process Management, Data Mining, Business Process Modeling, Process Optimization, Data Processing, Performance Analysis, Big Data, Real Time Data, Data Science, Verification And Validation

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.2K reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of Virginia

      Managing an Agile Team

      Skills you'll gain: Agile Software Development, Agile Methodology, Agile Project Management, Team Performance Management, Team Management, Team Building, Team Leadership, Sprint Retrospectives, Backlogs, User Story, Kanban Principles, Sales Presentation, Lean Methodologies, Process Improvement, Selling Techniques, Prioritization, Discussion Facilitation, Decision Making

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.3K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      D

      Duke University

      MLOps | Machine Learning Operations

      Skills you'll gain: MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), Pandas (Python Package), AWS SageMaker, NumPy, Microsoft Azure, Data Ethics, Application Deployment, Data Manipulation, Exploratory Data Analysis, Containerization, Data Pipelines, CI/CD, Software Testing, Data Import/Export, Amazon Web Services, Feature Engineering, Cloud Solutions, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Docker (Software), Rust (Programming Language)

      4.2
      Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
      ·
      459 reviews

      Advanced · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      M

      Microsoft

      Microsoft Excel

      Skills you'll gain: Excel Macros, Prompt Engineering, Microsoft Excel, Data Cleansing, Excel Formulas, Pivot Tables And Charts, Microsoft Copilot, Dashboard, Forecasting, Data Presentation, Data Storytelling, Data Processing, Data Visualization Software, Data Manipulation, Data Visualization, Predictive Modeling, Data Quality, Statistical Analysis, Data Transformation, Data Analysis

      4.1
      Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
      ·
      94 reviews

      Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      I

      Intuit

      Financial Statement Analysis

      Skills you'll gain: Reconciliation, Financial Statements, Financial Statement Analysis, Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Financial Analysis, Accounting, Analysis, Cash Flows, Sales Tax, Equities, Payroll

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      661 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

      Designing the Organization

      Skills you'll gain: Organizational Structure, Governance, Organizational Strategy, Organizational Effectiveness, Organizational Change, Business Management, Innovation, Systems Thinking, Business Strategies, Growth Strategies, Decision Making

      Build toward a degree

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.7K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • D

      Duke University

      Impact Measurement & Management for the SDGs

      Skills you'll gain: Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Sustainability Reporting, Performance Measurement, Stakeholder Engagement, Investment Management, Governance, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Benchmarking, Asset Management, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Verification And Validation, Due Diligence

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      616 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

      Autoridad, dirección y liderazgo

      Skills you'll gain: Delegation Skills, Supervision, Management Training And Development, Team Leadership, Leadership, Organizational Leadership, Strategic Leadership, Coordinating, Personal Development, Motivational Skills, Business Management, Decision Making, Communication

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.2K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      G

      Google Cloud

      Responsible AI: Applying AI Principles with Google Cloud

      Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Business Ethics, Accountability, Compliance Training, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Google Cloud Platform, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Governance, Decision Making, Corporate Strategy

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      585 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      G

      Google

      Start Writing Prompts like a Pro

      Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Data Ethics, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      142 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of Virginia

      Strategic Planning and Execution

      Skills you'll gain: Plan Execution, Organizational Strategy, Business Strategy, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Strategic Decision-Making, Strategic Thinking, Governance, Analysis, Corporate Strategy, Business Analysis, Competitive Analysis, Innovation

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      832 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • U

      University of Michigan

      Instructional Methods in Health Professions Education

      Skills you'll gain: Instructional Design, Adult Learning Principles, Education Software and Technology, Patient Education And Counseling, Learning Theory, Learning Styles, Creativity, Decision Making, Technology Strategies

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      520 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular decision making courses

    • Process Mining: Data science in Action: Eindhoven University of Technology
    • Managing an Agile Team: University of Virginia
    • MLOps | Machine Learning Operations: Duke University
    • Microsoft Excel: Microsoft
    • Financial Statement Analysis: Intuit
    • Designing the Organization: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    • Impact Measurement & Management for the SDGs: Duke University
    • Autoridad, dirección y liderazgo: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
    • Responsible AI: Applying AI Principles with Google Cloud: Google Cloud
    • Start Writing Prompts like a Pro: Google

    Skills you can learn in Business Essentials

    Analytics (37)
    Presentation (33)
    Modeling (29)
    Business Analytics (27)
    Language (26)
    Microsoft Excel (26)
    Writing (26)
    Speech (18)
    Plan (17)
    Business Communication (16)
    Decision-making (16)
    Leadership (15)

    Frequently Asked Questions about Decision Making

    Decision-making skills are the ability to evaluate several courses of action and choose which to take. This is an important life skill as well as a business leadership skill, since effective problem-solving requires deciding on a solution. However, making smart business decisions isn’t just about being decisive in an abstract sense.

    Effective decision-making is a skill that requires a combination of critical thinking and data analysis. In a business context, a familiarity with tools of financial analysis is especially important for decision-making, although the financial bottom line isn’t always the only factor to be considered in a careful cost-benefit analysis. For example, a growing number of companies consider corporate social responsibility principles and a “triple bottom line” approach that also looks at social and environmental costs and benefits.

    Beyond cost-benefit analyses, there are approaches informed by psychology that are used to make decisions as well as describe decision-making in the real world. Decision theory uses tools similar to game theory to analyze how decisions are affected by uncertainty, different timing between decisions and impacts, social and competitive situations, and other factors. And behavioral economics helps to understand how cognitive bias can influence decision-making, as in the case of the sunk cost fallacy which results in economically irrational decisions based on previous investments.‎

    Decision-making skills are essential for leadership positions in every field, whether chief executive officers (CEOs) of corporations, executive directors of non-profit advocacy groups, or government roles such as mayors and governors. These leaders are responsible for setting organizational goals and policies and, ultimately, making decisions on how to achieve them.

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, top executives earn a median pay of $104,690 per year, including a median pay of $184,460 for CEOs. This high level of compensation is a testament to the importance of savvy decision-making skills, which are in high demand in organizations of all kinds.‎

    Absolutely. Coursera lets you learn about decision-making and related topics like problem-solving, psychology, and leadership from top-ranked schools like the University of California, Irvine, the University of Michigan, and the University of Pennsylvania. And although you’ll be learning remotely, you’ll get the same course materials as on-campus students as well as opportunities to discuss these important topics in leadership with expert faculty as well as your fellow students.‎

    Everyone can benefit from learning about decision making, both in their personal and professional lives, so you may not need any previous experience or skills to study the concept. However, any type of work experience may help prepare you for your studies. Once you've worked in a field, you'll better understand why decision-making skills are important and how you can use them to advance your career or even get a new job in your field.‎

    A person who is a leader and good communicator is best suited to work in roles that involve strong decision-making skills. As a matter of fact, learning how to be a good decision maker can lead to supervisory and management positions in your field. You should also be an active listener and someone who can easily convey to other people what your thoughts and ideas are. People who are strong decision makers tend to be good analyzers, troubleshooters, problem solvers, and critical thinkers. This helps them gather the evidence they need to make a choice. Other skills needed for roles that require good decision-making skills are time management, logic, reasoning, and intuition. You'll also need to have good interpersonal skills, as well as be a good collaborator who doesn't shy away from teamwork.‎

    Decision-making studies or skills look good on any resume, so if you're looking for a new career or starting a career, learning about it may be right for you. It can also be helpful if you're looking to be promoted into a managerial position at work. Decision-making skills are very important for people in roles of leadership. If you currently work in a managerial position or any position in any field and find that you're having trouble making sound decisions at work, learning how to do so can improve your work performance. Learning it can also help you make better decisions in your personal life.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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