DA5074 - Judgement and Decision Making

What will I learn on this module?

Little affects our lives more than the quality of the decisions we make. In a business context, effective decision making is likely to have a significant impact on the performance of an organisation and managers are responsible for not only the quality of their own decisions, but also for influencing and managing the environment in which others make decisions.

On this module you will learn about the importance of decision-making and the type of information which can be used to support decision makers. This will involve studying techniques which can be used to evaluate business projects, as well as considering how cognitive and behavioural influences may impact on judgement and decision making.

In addressing these issues the topics you will study will be drawn from the following themes:


• The importance of the decision-making process in managing organisational performance.
• Relevant information to support decision making
• Using financial models to inform business decisions.
• The implications of risk and uncertainty for decision making.
• Behavioural and cognitive influences on judgement and decision making

How will I learn on this module?

You will learn through workshops, tutor guidance and feedback and independent directed and self-directed learning. Importantly, you will also learn at work, through reflecting on your experiences and applying your knowledge from the module to your practice in the workplace. The workshops will introduce you to theories and concepts and allow you to discuss with the tutors and your peers how these relate to your own work based experiences and practice. The workplace provides an opportunity for you to put your own knowledge and skills into practice and review your learning with your manager/mentor and your guidance tutor.

Your learning is supported by a Teaching and Learning Plan, offering guidance on reading to prepare for workshops and help with the completion of the assessment. Within this plan there are also suggested learning activities, which guide you in your independent learning. These activities allow you to reflect and evaluate your knowledge and skills and in this area.

You will also be given work-based assignments and projects which will support your learning by providing an experientially based opportunity to apply your learning and evaluate your own practice in this area.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

The Teaching and Learning plan will provide a number of prompts and guidance to support you academically. Support will also include opportunities to gain feedback from workshop tutors, guidance tutors and peers.

Your module is also supported by an e-learning portal, which houses all the module learning materials, workshop resources, interactive activities, assessment details and various other support facilities which are provided by the University.

In addition, in order to assist you in developing knowledge, you will have access to the University’s library facilities, including extensive electronic resources, eBooks and electronic academic journal articles.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

You will be expected to demonstrate:

Knowledge & Understanding:
1) Your knowledge of key concepts, models and theories relating to judgement and decision making.
(MLO 1)

2) Your appreciation of gaps in your knowledge and their potential influences on how you have interpreted and applied it.
(MLO 2)

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

3) Your ability to apply your knowledge of judgement and decision making as a means of identifying and evaluating initiatives that have the potential to enhance an organisation’s performance.
(MLO 3)

Mapping to CMDA Outcomes/Assessment Criteria


Knowledge & Understanding:

1.1.5 Evaluate risk management models and review own organisations approach to the identification and monitoring of risk

2.2.1 Evaluate risk management models and risk versus benefit

3.1.3 Create and analyse financial reports

12.1.2 Analyse complex data and draw sensible conclusions

12.1.3 Evaluate and apply problem solving techniques


12.1.4 Evaluate and apply decision making techniques


Skills – be able to:


3.4.2 Access financial data, assess its validity and produce clear financial reports that analyse data and draw conclusions

12.3.1 Demonstrate the use of evidence based tools to solve problems

12.3.2 Demonstrate the consistent use of critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation to support decision making

How will I be assessed?

Your summative assessment will take the form of a 2,500 word assignment which will address all module learning outcomes. (MLO 1-3)

Formative assessment will occur through opportunities to receive feedback to develop and reinforce on your learning from peers and/or tutors.

Pre-requisite(s)

None

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

This module will support the development of your management capability through addressing a critical issue for all managers; factors influencing effective decision making. You will study models designed to provide information to support management decisions, as well as addressing psychological and behavioural influences on judgement and decision making in practice. Developing your understanding and capability in this way will contribute to your professional development by enabling you to, not only make more effective decisions personally, but also impact on the judgement and decision makers of others, an important role for managers. This will be achieved through relating your learning to your own experiences in the workplace and reflecting on your own behaviour and practices as well as that of others.

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years part-time

Department Newcastle Business School

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2024 or January 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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