The Decision-making ProcessThe 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 DecisionA Decision

Is only as good as the data that informed itIs only as good as it is an informed oneIs only as good as the system which exists

to implementIs only good if you have the means to

implement itIs only good if other people understand it

and what it means

The Ideal Decision-making The Ideal Decision-making ProcessProcess

STEP 1Define the problem

STEP 3Establish goals that solving the problem should accomplish

STEP 4Identify alternatives that will solve the problem

STEP 5Develop valuation criteria based on the goals

STEP 6Select a decision-making Tool

STEP 7Apply the tool to select apreferred alternative

STEP 8Check the answerto make sure itsolves the problem

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

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

The RealityThe RealityIs 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.

The RealityThe RealityIs 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.