Ph.D. Program in Planning and Decision Methods

The Ph.D. program in Planning and Decision Methods (PLADEM) was originally established in 2021 under the name of Strategic Engineering. It was later renamed to Strategic Engineering and Decision Methods, with the aim of creating a doctoral program characterized by strong international collaboration. This program is designed to involve universities and companies with explicit expertise in disciplines that promote strategic planning techniques and decision-making methods.

The competencies related to the Ph.D. in Planning and Decision Methods encompass all disciplines that can support decision-makers, who ultimately bear the responsibility for final decisions, in utilizing data to make choices among alternatives with the objective of improving the system. Therefore, the Ph.D. program aspires to combine the rationality of quantitative methods with the qualitative understanding of human decision-making processes to enhance the performance of decision models. It involves the combined use of modeling, simulation, data analysis, and artificial intelligence in a closed loop with Big Data to support decision-makers in a wide range of applications. The course aims to develop new capabilities using cutting-edge technologies to create innovative solutions that ensure a strategic advantage in the decision-making process.

The Ph.D. program aims to create experts and new professional figures capable of working alongside decision-makers to design, develop, utilize, and finalize new solutions to achieve a competitive advantage.

The Ph.D. in Planning and Decision Methods has an international vision, involving foreign universities that share experience and expertise in strategic planning and decision-making methods. Therefore, the faculty board comprises members from both Italian and foreign universities, in proportion according to ministerial guidelines.

Due to its transdisciplinary nature, the Ph.D. program encourages applications from young engineers, scientists, and individuals with a Master of Science in computer science, economics, international affairs, and legal studies. Candidate selection is based on the review of the Curriculum Vitae, the evaluation of the proposed research project, and an oral interview. This process ensures the selection of high-quality candidates with great potential.