Decision Making Process

The Decision-making Process

Thoughts, Ideas and Practice

Decision-making  As

defined by Baker et al in their 2001 study, “efficient decision-making involves a series of steps that require the input of information at different stages of the process, as well as a process for feedback”.

Decisions •Made up of a composite of information, data, facts and belief. •Data by itself does not constitute useful information unless it is analyzed and processed.

A Decision  Is

only as good as the data that informed it  Is only as good as it is an informed one  Is only as good as the system which exists to implement  Is only good if you have the means to implement it  Is only good if other people understand it and what it means

The Ideal Decision-making Process STEP 1 Define the problem

STEP 2 Determine the requirements that the solution to the problem must meet

STEP 3 Establish goals that solving the problem should accomplish

STEP 4 Identify alternatives that will solve the problem

STEP 5 Develop valuation criteria based on the goals

STEP 6 Select a decisionmaking Tool

STEP 7 Apply the tool to select a preferred alternative

STEP 8 Check the answer to make sure it solves the problem

The Decision-making Process (adapted from Baker et al, 2001)

The Reality  Is

the Problem really the problem? Problems are often the symptom and not the true problem.  Most often that not steps 5-8 are either forgotten, avoided or simply ignored.  Urgency – is there a quick version?  Who has time to follow-up? Tomorrow is another problem.