Making

Effective Decisions
Module 2
The Creative Process:
Developing Options

©2010 American Society for Training and Development

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Module 2 Topics
  Explain the importance of creativity in
decision making.
  Clarify the goal of a decision.
  Develop or identify viable options
from which to choose.
  Calculate the degree of risk related to
a decision.

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Review: Decision-Making Steps
1. Determine that a decision is needed.
2. Determine the decision's importance.
3. Assess what limits apply to the decision.
4. Determine possible choices.
5. Gather information about the possible
choices.
6. Evaluate or test the possible choices.
7. Decide and implement the decision
(or recycle).

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Creativity Is Important

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 You Already Are Creative
You dream nearly every night.
You solve problems.
You may also have artistic talents, etc.
But…
Being creative does not require being artistic.
Being creative does not demand great skill.
Being creative is not a function of intelligence.

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Clarifying the Goal of the Decision
Specify what you want to happen as a result
of the decision-making process.
Write down related facts about the issue.
What is true about the situation
What is not true
What has changed
What is not known that we need to find out.

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Separate Cause From Effect

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Developing Choices
Complete step 4 before you even consider
step 5.
You almost never need to consider all
options.
An “adequate” list of options may be a
couple up to a dozen.

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Where to Get Ideas

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Risk in Decisions

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Thoughts About Decision Making
“I knew a man who had so much
trouble making decisions, that when he
was asked his favorite color, he always
said, ‘Plaid.’”
− Anonymous

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Application Exercise

Refine the decision(s) you are working

on using the instructions on the
worksheet.
Discuss your answers with your group.

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Module 2 Summary
Explain the importance of creativity in
decision making.
 Clarify the goal of a decision.
 Develop or identify viable options
from which to choose.
 Calculate the degree of risk related to a
decision.

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Thank You for Your Attention
Next meeting:
Assignment:
Other announcements?

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©2010 by the American Society for Training & Development