BUMAtraining.com
San Jose State Professional Development
Business Management Certificate Program

Business Problem Solving: The 2x2 Matrix (BUMA 432, CEUs: 1.4)

Business professionals and consultants of all varieties are called upon to make decisions, solve problems and plan strategies on a regular basis. Too often they are ineffective as people draw on unique talents, experience, knowledge and style without any explicit approach or training to refer to. Often, firms avoid real issues or mishandle them in the interest of quickly moving on-urgency misread as importance.

The DSM™ (Dialectical Solutions Method) is a rigorous, intuitive and transferable problem-solving system recently developed by Alex Lowy and Phil Hood. At its core is the 2 x 2 matrix found in a wide assortment of business models, from the BCG Grid to the Gartner Magic Quadrant to the Prisoner's Dilemma. An analysis of over two hundred of the most influential 2 x 2 frameworks provides the foundation for a deeper understanding of the underlying nature of strategic dilemmas, the structure of problem-solving, and strategic business design. Drawing on models from the works of leading consultants, business school profs, social scientists and organizational theorists, students will learn how to analyze strategic dilemmas and practice skills for strategic design and problem-solving.

At the conclusion of the course, students will have gained:

• an appreciation of the archetypal nature of business dilemmas expressed in dozens of cases
• an understanding of a powerful, business decision-making method and working knowledge of approximately twenty-four of the most important and useful 2 x 2 frameworks applied in business today
• an ability to creatively and competently apply 2 x 2 Thinking to a solve range of problems
• the structue, understanding and resources necessary for effective problem solving

SJSU BUMA Program | SJSU Program Highlights | SJSU BUMA Faculty | SJSU BUMA Courses