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