The Art of Analysis - 1

A tailored interactive workshop where we teach your people the softer and more subtle elements of analysis.

Where: In-house
When: We will schedule around your needs
Attendance: Between 3 - 8 attendees
Duration: 3 Days (minimum) - 5 Days (maximum is based on your need)
Price: $650 Inc. GST per student per day (This does not include our travel and other expenses if outside Australia)
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of the analytical tools your group uses

Course Aim

This is not a traditional set curriculum training course. Creating good "cross-problem domain" analysts is very hard. Many organisations focus on putting new analysts on courses that focus on how to use specific software tools. Once they have been trained in the tools, organisations then expect analysts to be "competent". It's not that easy, unless you are blessed to have hired an analyst with exceedingly rare natural instincts and abilities. In our experience, in addition to tools training, it is most important to teach new analysts how to:

think innovatively
how to conceptually approach different types of problems
how to identify the best tools and techniques for a given type of problem
when to change tack and try a different approach
how to be a creative thinker and problem solver
how to operate effectively in the face of complexity
how to operate effectively in environments with poor data availability and organisational politics and more

These are areas that aren't taught well, if at all in academic institutions during undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Our experts have learned the subtle elements of the "art" of applied analysis through long years of experience. We have sought to understand and distil which of these elements can be taught effectively and practiced by new analysts. We have tried to compile training material and exercises that seek to make an analyst who is competent in tools, into a great analyst that applies those tools in a much more effective, innovative and persistent conceptual framework.

Our experts can travel around the world to deliver our material onsite.

As with all our courses, after the course concludes we can continue supporting your organisation in a consulting capacity to ensure your organisations requirements / desired outcomes are achieved.

Who Should Attend?

Analysts and those managing analysts that are relatively new to the field and are inexperienced in applying analysis to real world problems. Best case, students on this course will have been trained in the core analytical tools their organisation operates.

Course Content

Introduction to key concepts
Introduction to conceptual thinking
Effective analyst qualities and how to foster them
The problem of problem definition
How to think about problems - Problem formulation, brainstorming and "out of the box" thinking
Solution formulation and planning techniques
What to do when things go South
Process pearls of wisdom
Ways to think about, and reduce complexity
Ways to approach data availability problems and political issues
Qualities and techniques review

Exercises

This course is based on practical exercises. We can design specific teaching problems based on real problems from your organisation. Your students will be taught how to think and apply new ways of thinking to your own problems.

Tailored teaching practicals based on your organisations real problems

Products / Outputs

Your organisation gets to keep any models and materials developed during the course
Your staff gain excellent instant "experience" based on the wisdom of the teachers

Optional Extensions

Consulting engagement to work with your new analysts for a period of time on real problems to reinforce learning
Ongoing periodic reviews and support to ensure your analysts are remaining on track