Course Catalogue.

After participating in this course, you will be able to:

• Point out at least seven core mental models
• Explain at least five mental models from physics and chemistry that can be applied to engineering
• Give examples of at least seven mental models from biology that intersect with the engineering domain
• Identify at least 10 mental models from systems thinking that are relevant to the engineering profession
• List at least model models of military and war that relate to the business of engineering

Description
The course provides a concise overview of mental models. These are explanations of how the world really works. Every human relies on mental models to guide their perception and behaviour. These cognitive frameworks are used to understand situations, solve problems and predict outcomes. The more models you have—the bigger your mental toolbox—the more likely you will have suitable models to see and interpret reality. The course is based on the life experience and research of Charlie Munger, an American billionaire investor and vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway.

Over a 70+ year career, he has developed a set of mental models to help solve critical life and business challenges. He has shared this “worldly wisdom” in multiple speeches and writings, and this session is a summation of his work. Mental models are significant for Technical Professionals because that is precisely what they do for a living -- think. Technical Professionals are counted upon to engage in reflective and independent cognitive analysis at every level, every day. That is a core element of their work as business advisors, technical experts, and problem-solvers. Practitioners are also held to the highest possible thinking standards because of their higher calling. Like no other profession in society, Technical Professionals play foundational roles as arbiters of truth and guardians of public trust. They are expected to be absolute expert thinkers who adhere to strict codes of ethics, integrity, objectivity, professional competence, and due care.

You’ll walk away from the course with a dynamic set of thinking tools that will give you new ways to see the world, make decisions, solve problems, and add value.

Course Outline

• What are Mental Models?
• The “Worldly Wisdom” of Charlie Munger 
• Mental Models of Military and War
• Mental Models of Economics
• Mental Models of Mathematics
• Mental Models of Systems Thinking
• Mental Models of Living Organisms
• Mental Models of Chemistry and Physics
• How to Keep Your Mental Models Up to Date in a Dynamic World

Who Should Attend

Practitioners who want a foundational understanding of mental models and how to use these cognitive frameworks to view the world, think better, reduce mistakes, and achieve better results in their professional and personal lives.