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.