A ready-to-run lesson plan for exploring how decisions are made in real working environments. Designed for Crew Resource Management (CRM) and human factors training.
The session looks beyond logic and procedures to examine the role of emotion, mood, attention, and context, using real-world cases, neuroscience, and practical exercises to support reflection and discussion.
+ Main topic: Decision-making
+ Related topics: Workload management; stress and stress management; situational awareness; information acquisition and processing
+ Training length: 40 – 50 minutes
+ Included: 2x student handouts, lesson plan with instructor notes, PowerPoint slides
+ Access: Instant download after payment
+ File formats: Pdf and PowerPoint
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Intuitive design
CORE ELEMENTS
The decision-making lesson plan moves from an initial decision exercise to real-world case analysis, exploring atmosphere, missed cues, and decision-making under routine and pressure, before introducing a tool that helps participants understand how emotion and energy influence decisions. Small-group reflection and discussion are supported by key perspectives from neuroscience, grounding participants’ understanding of how decisions are made.
INCLUDED
A fully structured session with clear trainer guidance, supported by trainer notes, slide references, and student handouts. It also includes suggestions for relevant external video clips. The complete package includes the lesson plan with trainer notes, PowerPoint slides, and two student handouts. The material is designed to be easy to use and adaptable, allowing you to deliver the session with confidence.
LENGTH
Designed to be flexible and can be used as a stand-alone session or as part of a longer CRM or Human Factors programme. It can be adjusted to allow more time for discussion and reflection, with trainer notes indicating where the session can be shortened or expanded depending on time and group dynamics. When delivered as a stand-alone session, the lesson takes approximately 40–50 minutes.
Our Decision-Making Lesson Plan is designed as a practical facilitation tool. It provides clear trainer guidance, structured discussion points, and impactful exercises, allowing you to focus on what matters most: creating insight, dialogue, and learning that transfers back to the job.
The lesson is particularly well suited for Crew Resource Management and Human Factors training, but works equally well for flight instructors, healthcare educators, and trainers working with decision-making in complex or high-pressure environments.
Developed by trainers for trainers, the lesson supports thoughtful facilitation and meaningful reflection, helping participants better understand how decisions are shaped.
We have gathered the most frequently asked questions from our customers to help you in the best way possible
The lesson plan is designed for trainers working with decision-making in complex or high-pressure environments, including CRM and Human Factors trainers, flight instructors, healthcare educators, and professionals teaching safety, leadership, or resilience. While aviation-inspired, the content transfers easily across domains.
The purpose of this decision-making lesson is to help participants better understand how decisions are made – and how factors such as emotion, mood, attention, and context influence judgement, awareness, and behaviour.
Participants gain increased awareness of their own decision-making processes, a better understanding of how emotional state affects performance, and practical insight into why experienced professionals can still miss cues or make suboptimal decisions under routine or pressure.
No. The learning points are universal. The lesson can be delivered effectively by trainers from non-aviation backgrounds. Examples and discussions can easily be adapted to suit different professional environments.
No specialist equipment is required beyond standard classroom facilities, including a projector or TV and a flip chart or whiteboard.
The decision-making lesson is also relevant for healthcare settings, where decisions are often made under time pressure, uncertainty, and cognitive load. The focus on situational awareness, emotional state, and missed cues translates well to many safety-critical industries.
