Decision-Making for Public Policy

Professor: Simone Bunse

Objectives and Overview

The objective of our seminar titled “Decision Making for Public Policy” is to strengthen your decision-making ability and skills. Our sessions are divided into two main parts. First, we will examine a variety of rational tools of decision-making. Second, we will seek to apply some of them with the aim of testing their limits and applicability to public policy issues. Our key underlying question will center on: How should decisions be taken versus how they are taken in reality.

During our sessions on December 4, we will conduct role play and undertake a decision-making simulation. On December 5, we will undertake a decision-making exercise both individually and as a team and examine its relevance for public policy makers. This is followed by analysis of a video of a real world decision making scenario. Our discussion will center on the strengths and weaknesses of the decision process and how these relate to the decision outcome.

We will pay particular attention to the role of managers and executives in systematically seeking, organizing and analyzing information to address policy problems. In addition, we will explore common decision-making biases and identify ways to detect and overcome them.

Reading and Preparations Sessions 1-3 (December 4, afternoon):

• Roberto and Edmonson (2018) ‘Leadership and Team Simulation: Everest V3’ (Harvard Business School).
• Students will be part of a simulation and will each be assigned a role by the instructor. They should familiarize themselves with the role.

Reading and Preparations Sessions 4-5 (December 5, morning):

• Students are expected to read Part A of the following case: “Carter Racing” by Jack Brittain and Sim Sitkin (Delta Leadership, 6-001-06) (2 pages provided below)
• Questions to be prepared are: You are BJ Carter. Would you race or not race? Why?