Why Does this Course Matter:

Many strategic challenges cannot be solved by numbers alone. PSMs provide structured approaches to help teams and organisations navigate uncertainty, manage competing interests, and create shared direction. They are especially useful in public policy, organisational change, multi-stakeholder projects, and early-stage decision-making.

What Will I Learn:

• Awareness of the role of soft OR and when to use Problem Structuring Methods (PSMs)
• Skills in applying tools such as Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), SODA, and causal mapping
• Ability to work with qualitative data and surface diverse perspectives in complex situations
• Confidence in designing and running PSM interventions that lead to actionable insights
• Knowledge of how to map strategic situations and build collaborative action plans

Course Topics:

• Explore the history, scope, and value of Problem Structuring Methods in OR
• Learn to distinguish between expert-led and process-led consulting roles
• Apply soft OR tools like rich pictures, systems modelling, and causal maps
• Gain hands-on experience using SSM and SODA in realistic case scenarios
• Understand when and how to introduce PSMs into complex OR work

Who is this course for:

• Analysts and Operational Researchers dealing with unstructured or strategic challenges
• Professionals working on policy development, transformation, or change programmes
• Consultants and project leads supporting multi-stakeholder or exploratory projects
• OR practitioners expanding into soft methods or collaborative modelling approaches
• Anyone interested in learning how to apply PSMs to improve clarity and action in complex environments

Related Courses

• OR and Strategy
• System Dynamics

Prices

• OR Society Member £495 + VAT
• Non-Member £625 + VAT
• Student Member £370 + VAT
• For group booking discounts please contact [email protected]

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