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Alysha Burns

Professor Murphy

HDF 315

May 4, 2020

Final Project Summary & Reflection

The concept of family management theory and the many decision-making models have

brightened my knowledge for many different situations. Knowing many of theses models will

help in my future careers when working with children, adolescence, and their families as well.

Getting involved with these models can be quite helpful for having a different perspective of the

situation and knowing how to react in a positive manner.

The first model that is presented within my professional portfolio is the goals and values

inventory. This is a scaled process of values by the importance of one’s life. Although most of

the goals can be viewed as being important in life, having the chance to rank 1 through 18 can

determine how views and values are resembled. It is important to know how one is feeling and

through the ranking process it can show on paper and solidify the believes without judgement.

The second model that can be beneficial for many families would be the decision-making

models. Specifically, the chain model and the central satellite model. The chain model indicates

the ability to take the main decision and find the consequences that were not thought about or

discussed before the main decision, making it a chain of events. The central satellite model is a

web of decisions that surround the main decision. Both models can be beneficial when working

with families, especially if the parents are trying to have their children understand the

consequences or alternatives to that decision they made or making. The third model is called the
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storyboard which is a series of events from 1 to 8 that make up their own box. In each box a

picture is represented by either drawing it or copying a picture into the box and printing it out.

This is a great visual aid model for those who need to physically see how decisions can be played

out through pictures. I would recommend this to any family for any decision-making process due

to its simplicity and the ability to see how the decision will flow. The fourth model is the goal-

oriented model, specifically the pedagogical model. This model includes six phases and within

each phase an alternative, a resource, or a main goal is discussed. This is a well thought out

model that will need to include a mass amount of information. This model will be best for

working out a big decision that has a lot of alternatives or other pathways to success. The fifth

model that is presented in my portfolio is the time management models. Two models are

included in this, a checklist of priorities for the situation and the four-quadrants that indicate

what is the most important and urgent to least important and urgent. This can be a great tool for

families since they can check off their priorities as they grow and develop in their life. The last

model that is great for decision making is the reverse brainstorming model. Although this model

is the most simplistic, it creates a great mindset for what is to come. By applying the “what if’s”

to a upcoming decision or situation and then using reverse brainstorming and then applying the

“How can I help?” can create a huge difference in the mindset. By physically writing down all

the negative thoughts and worries, then flipping this to a positive mindset it can create a beautiful

thought process.

Overall, the models for decision making, helping resolve a situation, and help seek

alternatives are all well beyond great models when put to the test with life’s hard and grueling

decisions. I believe any of these models will be beneficial for families, especially with children.
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Now that I know how these models work, I plan to use them during the future career pathway to

help others seek the best alternatives and decisions for their tough situation.