From data to clear choices in a complex context

Organizations have more data than ever before, but the real challenge lies in translating that abundance into decisions that have direction and impact. Too often, analyses remain stuck in reports or dashboards without really guiding strategic and operational choices. This master's module shows how data only becomes valuable when insights are systematically linked to the way organizations make decisions, set priorities, and determine their course.

You start with the fundamentals: the full spectrum of analytics and the role of data quality, governance, and visualization in building reliable and compelling insights. Then the focus shifts to application: how do you use data to compare scenarios, assess risks, and weigh alternatives, and how do you deal with bias, noise, and false certainty in both data and human judgment?

You will then focus on embedding decision-making in practice. You will explore how to structure decision-making processes in such a way that decision-making areas are clear, criteria are made explicit, and trade-offs are discussed transparently. You will also look at where automated decision-making and decision agents can add value, and where human control and responsibility remain crucial.

By combining theory, case studies, and reflection on your own practice, you will develop a keen insight into how data and decision-making can reinforce each other. You will not only learn to better understand analyses, but above all how to translate them into clear choices and robust processes that create value for your organization and its stakeholders.

This master's module is bilingual: for each edition, we decide whether the language of instruction will be Dutch or English based on the group.