This course is tailored for senior public administrators and managers who use—or plan to use—simulations to support critical decision-making. Ideal participants work in sectors such as health, energy, environment, defense, or complex emergency management across public, corporate, and non-governmental domains. Consultants and students in these fields will also find the course highly beneficial.

This course aims to:

• Showcase the use of models and simulations for decision support.
• Equip participants with the knowledge to effectively utilize models, simulations, and their outputs in decision-making.
• Develop skills and competencies for applying and managing models and simulations, with a focus on sociotechnical systems.

Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand key technical concepts of modeling and simulation for decision support and use the associated terminology.
• Identify and assess opportunities for applying modeling and simulations in decision-making.
• Align challenges and opportunities with appropriate simulation methods.
• Effectively engage and manage stakeholders in simulation projects, including eliciting needs, co-creating purpose, and establishing criteria for credibility, trust, success, and risk.
• Communicate simulation results responsibly and persuasively.
• Assess the benefits, competitive advantages, and synergies of simulations while addressing potential challenges.
• Plan, manage, and institutionalize the integration of simulations for decision support within their organizations.
   

This course is structured into four sessions.

Session 1: Foundations of modeling and simulation

Discover the purpose and mechanics of models and simulations. Learn how to define requirements, build credibility, and assess risks and success criteria. Explore the psychology and behavioral sciences behind decision support, stakeholder involvement, and participatory decision-making. Gain insights into challenges and key lessons in modeling and simulation.

Session 2: State-of-the-art simulations in action

Dive into cutting-edge simulation technologies and workflows, from use case identification to data analysis and project evaluation. Explore the transformative role of generative AI and AI agents in simulation development. Understand how to align stakeholder needs with simulation design and address sociotechnical challenges in decision-making.

Session 3: Lessons from the field: use cases and management

Learn from real-world use cases, focusing on technical insights, stakeholder engagement, and outcome evaluation. Analyze successes and failures to uncover practical strategies for managing simulation projects effectively.

Session 4: Best practices for success

Engage in discussions and mini-lectures on technical, insight generation, and stakeholder management best practices. Walk away with actionable strategies to maximize the impact of simulations in decision support.

This hybrid course combines on-premise sessions with occasional online components. Participants will engage in a mix of learning formats, including mini-lectures, case study presentations, expert-led impulse talks, and interactive exercises such as group discussions and role-playing. Multimedia content, quizzes, and self-study assignments further enrich the learning experience, ensuring a dynamic and engaging approach to continuing education.

Course duration is four weeks with one two-hour in person session per week on the following dates 2025: 
3 June, 10 June, 17 June and 24 June, 17.00 to 19.00.

The venue is right next to Zurich HB at ZHAW School of Engineering, Lagerstrasse 41, 8021 Zürich.

Following class we continue our conversations over dinner at a restaurant close by. 

The course is led by a team of seasoned academics and industry professionals with extensive expertise in decision support through sociotechnical simulations. Their proven experience spans both the public and private sectors, ensuring participants gain practical and research-backed insights.

No specific prerequisites are required for this course aside from having an intermediate or higher level of English proficiency. Preferably, students should hold or are about to transition into a position in which they are expected to make systemically relevant decisions.