Australasian Procurement & Construction Council Inc (APCC) Certified program designed for public sector professionals.
Live online events
Description
Better governance is ultimately the product of better decisions. From investment approvals and procurement strategies to infrastructure delivery, policy implementation and organisational transformation, the quality of strategic decision-making determines whether public resources are used effectively and intended outcomes are achieved.
For those wanting to build practical capability, our Strategic Decision Making Masterclass provides a hands-on learning experience where participants apply decision frameworks, analyse major case studies and practise tools they can immediately use within their own organisations. This highly interactive masterclass moves beyond theory to examine how major public sector decisions are actually made.
Through facilitated discussion, practical decision exercises and analysis of major Australian and international case studies, participants will explore how strategic decisions are influenced by governance, information, stakeholder pressures, organisational culture, procurement approaches, risk appetite and cognitive bias.
Using examples from major infrastructure projects, procurement, public-private partnerships, Defence capability, digital transformation and organisational change, participants will work through the critical decision points that shaped outcomes—both successful and unsuccessful.
Throughout the masterclass participants will:
- analyse real public sector decisions
- challenge assumptions behind major projects
- evaluate alternative decision pathways
- apply structured decision frameworks
- practise collaborative decision-making techniques
- develop practical actions to improve governance within their own organisations
The workshop combines practical decision tools with behavioural insights to strengthen participants' confidence when navigating complexity, uncertainty and competing priorities.
Time | Session |
Introduction | Setting the context: why better decisions drive better governance, stronger project delivery and improved public value |
Session 1 | Decision Quality in Practice – Understanding the factors that influence strategic decisions, including governance, information, stakeholder pressures and cognitive bias |
Practical Activity | Analyse a real-world public sector decision and identify the critical decision points that shaped the outcome |
Break | 15 minutes |
Session 2 | Applying Better Decision Frameworks – Practical tools and techniques for improving decision quality in complex public sector environments |
Wrap-up | Key insights, participant action planning and Q&A |
Learning Outcomes
Participants will learn how to:
- strengthen governance through higher-quality decision-making
- recognise and minimise cognitive bias and poor decision habits
- apply practical decision-making frameworks to complex public sector challenges
- balance competing stakeholder interests while maintaining accountability and transparency
- evaluate decision quality before outcomes become apparent
- improve confidence when leading complex, high-consequence decisions
Facilitators
Paul Gordon
Paul has led decision transformation initiatives for major government and Defence programmes across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. He specialises in helping leaders make complex, value-focused decisions through structured collaboration, transparent governance and practical decision methodologies.
Shona Bernard Chandler
With more than 30 years' experience in organisational development, cultural change and leadership capability, Shona brings extensive expertise in helping organisations embed better decision behaviours, communication and strategic thinking across teams and executive leadership.
