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Accessibility statement
An image to illustrate Analytical thinking for problem solving short course
This CPD course will help you develop the problem-solving skills needed to contribute effectively in a wide range of organisational settings. By strengthening your analytical abilities, you'll be better equipped to promote a solutions-focused culture. The course will support you in applying, modelling and sustaining evidence-based approaches to tackling work-related problems.
This Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course promotes a human-centred approach based on user insights, the development of ideas and the generation of a range of appropriate solutions. By using structured methods in a fast changing and often complex world and involving others you increase the probability of a shared success that is owned by everyone and achieved together. The methods promoted in the course are likely to be relevant in all organisational areas as analytical and problem-solving skills are highly transferable.
Before diving into the content, read through the course overview section which introduces you, provides an overview of the key content in the units and explains how to get the most out of this course.
Unit 1: Analytical thinking
This unit will enable you to understand:
Unit 2: Defining a problem statement
This unit will enable you to:
Unit 3: Analytical thinking and problem-solving techniques
This unit will enable you to:
Unit 4: Human factors in analytical thinking and problem-solving
This unit will enable you to:
 By completing this CPD course, you will learn to:
This course was designed to be independently studied with no tutor support. StudentHome is a dedicated website that provides general study support and there is a computing helpdesk.
There is an end-of-course quiz to test your knowledge and understanding. Once completed and successfully passed you will receive a digital badge and a course completion certificate which you can download as a record of your learning.
The course will require around 10 hours to complete.
You can begin at any time during the life of the course and study at your own pace. The course will be open to you for a time period of between 6 and 18 months, depending on your course registration date, and you will be advised of the specific time limitations upon enrolment.
You’ll have access to a course website, which includes:
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
There are no formal academic requirements. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact us.
The course is delivered online and makes use of a variety of online resources. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in using a computer or the internet you are advised to contact us about support which can be given to meet your needs.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying BGXS003 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
StartEngland fee
At anytime before 31/07/2026£150
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
If this course is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could ask your employer to sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees. Your sponsor just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.
The fee information provided here is valid for short courses starting in the 2026/27 academic year. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
You can start this course anytime.
You can start this course anytime.
Level info