Critical Thinking for Management Decision-Making
Course Objective
To train students in structured thinking, logical reasoning, and bias-free analysis to strengthen problem-solving in business scenarios and interview case challenges.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify fallacies, assumptions, and cognitive biases
- Apply logic structures like MECE, issue trees, and root cause analysis
- Approach business problems using first principles thinking
- Prepare for case interviews with structured frameworks
Critical Thinking for Management Decision-Making Syllabus T30
Session No. | Topics | Tool/Reading/Activity | Skill Focus |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Introduction to Critical Thinking + Types of Thinking | Real vs Biased + Group Brainstorm | Bias Detection & Creativity |
2 | Cognitive Biases + Logical Reasoning Basics | Kahneman Bias Deck + Reasoning Puzzles | Mental Awareness |
3 | Argument Analysis + Root Cause Thinking | Fishbone + Premise Mapping | Problem Decomposition |
4 | MECE, Issue Trees & First Principles | Case Study + Elon Musk Example | Structuring & Reasoning |
5 | Critical Thinking in Business Decisions + Fallacies | HBR Caselets + Company Scenarios | Business Framing |
6 | Ethical Dilemmas + Inference Practice | Decision Matrix + Reading Inference | Value Thinking |
7 | Synthesis & Pyramid Thinking + Communication Logic | McKinsey Style Practice | Persuasive Reasoning |
8 | Case Interview Drill I – Market Entry | Peer Simulation | Case Structuring |
9 | Case Interview Drill II – Profitability + GD Practice | Profit Drill + Peer-led GD | Logic + Leadership |
10 | Final Presentation + Feedback | Real Case Pitch | Clarity & Persuasion |
Textbook & Resources
- The Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto
- Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
- Tools: Case interview prompts, McKinsey issue trees, logic puzzles