Taming wicked problems

Overview

Applications close 1 week before the course.

In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn a reliable process for understanding and addressing wicked problems and ongoing conflict.

This course focuses on identifying and mapping polarities and developing strategies - including action steps for leveraging the benefits of both poles and early warning signs to identify and correct an over-focus on one pole - to improve performance and track it over time. Who should participate

This course will benefit organisational leaders, senior and aspiring managers, and key engagement and organisational development professionals, in any industry or sector.

Delivery
Where:

We're offering this course in Brisbane and Canberra.

Brisbane
QUT Gardens Point
Executive Education Centre
B Block, Level 4
Canberra
QUT Deakin campus
2 King Street
Canberra
When:
Brisbane
Tuesday, 12 March 2013, 9.00am - 5.00pm
Canberra
Friday, 8 March 2013, 9.00am - 5.00pm
Details: We'll email you activities for you to complete before the workshop. At the workshop we'll provide supporting documents and learning material.
Cost

$650 (inc GST) per person.

10% discount for members of:

  • ICCPM - International Centre for Complex Project Management
  • IACCM - International Association for Contract and Commercial Management.
All-day catering provided.
Contact
For more information about this course, contact Natasha Crossley.

Details

Applications close 1 week before the course.

Turn conflict into high performance with 'both/and' polarity thinking

Today's complex and rapidly changing program management environments are fraught with ongoing tensions, 'wicked problems' or dilemmas that continually result in sub-optimal performance and conflict. Opinions abound - and arguments frequently arise - over whether to focus on:

  • managing risk or reducing the probability
  • tactical (short-term) view or strategic (long-term) view
  • getting results or building relationships
  • supply chain management or strategic sourcing
  • competition or collaboration
  • centralised control or local control
  • maintaining stability or initiating change.

Rather than being 'either/or' problems to solve, these are 'polarities' to manage: interdependent pairs of ideas that need each other over time to realise and sustain high performance.

Polarity thinking is a reliable framework that allows us to take a 'both/and' perspective, leverage the best of both points of view to:

  • reduce conflict and risk
  • address 'unsolvable problems'
  • build trust and engagement
  • align people to achieve common goals
  • design and take action for short-term and long-term success.

Outcomes

In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to identify and map polarities and develop strategies - including action steps for leveraging the benefits of both poles and early warning signs to identify and correct an over-focus on one pole - to improve performance and track it over time.

Participants will take away a reliable process for understanding and addressing wicked problems and ongoing conflict.

You will learn to Benefits
Distinguish between both/and polarities to manage and either/or problems to solve Reduce complexity and get relief from trying to solve the 'unsolvable'
Apply polarity thinking to a broad range of applications including strategic planning and implementation, project specification and review, stakeholder relations and contracting Reduce risk, increase efficiency, build trust and cooperation
Integrate conflicting points of view and maximise the benefits of both perspectives Facilitate efficient and effective collaboration between groups and individuals with diverse backgrounds and opinions
Create flexible, agile strategies and tactics Create 'dynamic stability' for projects and programs and minimise the 'see-saw' dynamic between recurring problems and their 'solutions'

Your presenter: Abby Straus

M.Div. (USA)
Partner, Maverick & Boutique

Abby is a pioneer in the field of leadership and strategy for complex environments. She is a principal in the consulting firm of Maverick & Boutique, which helps organisations and their people take advantage of complexity and accelerating change.

The firm serves sectors including government, business, defence, education, health care, non-profit and community and economic development.

Their tools and methods have been adopted by over 1,500 organisations in 27 countries for use in activities including: organisation change, strategic planning, leadership development, break-through innovation, process improvement and the management of complex projects and programs.

Register

Applications close 1 week before the course.

This course is offered by QUT, in conjunction with the International Centre for Complex Project Management (ICCPM).

Register for the Brisbane course

Register for the Canberra course

Numbers are limited to 24 per workshop, and places will be allocated on a first-to-confirm basis.

Contact Natasha Crossley for waitlist places or expressions of interest in other dates/venues.