8 steps in decision making

process
tamimiqbal (32) in introduceyourself • 2 years ago (edited)

Decision making is a daily activity for any human being. There is no exception
about that. When it comes to business organizations, decision making is a habit
and a process as well.

Effective and successful decisions make profit to the company and unsuccessful
ones make losses. Therefore, corporate decision making process is the most
critical process in any organization.
In the decision making process, we choose one course of action from a few
possible alternatives. In the process of decision making, we may use many tools,
techniques and perceptions.

In addition, we may make our own private decisions or may prefer a collective
decision.

Usually, decision making is hard. Majority of corporate decisions involve some

level of dissatisfaction or conflict with another party.

Let's have a look at the decision making process in detail.

Eight Step Decision Making Process:

Following a set of guidelines and steps to assist in the Decision making process
can help simplify it. Here are eight steps that add structure and simplicity to the
Decision making process.

Step 1: Define the Problem

Problem definition is crucial for making a good decision. This step identifies
root causes,
limiting assumptions,
system and organizational boundaries and interfaces, and
any stakeholder issues.

A good problem definition expresses the issue in a clear, one-sentence statement

that describes both the initial conditions and the desired conditions. Everybody
involved in the decision-making process needs to agree on a written problem
definition before proceeding.

Step 2: Information gathering

A problem of an organization will have many stakeholders. In addition, there

can be dozens of factors involved and affected by the problem.

In the process of solving the problem, you will have to gather as much as
information related to the factors and stakeholders involved in the problem. For
the process of information gathering, tools such as 'Check Sheets' can be
effectively used.
Step 3: Identify and evaluate alternatives to locating in the base floodplain
or wetland
.
44 CFR 9.9 (b) requires that FEMA “identify and evaluate practicable
alternatives to carrying out
a proposed action in floodplains or wetlands, including:

1. Alternative sites outside the floodplain or wetland;

2.

Alternative actions which serve essentially the same purpose as the proposed
action, but
which have less potential to affect or be affected by the floodplain or wetlands;
and

1.

No action. The floodplain and wetland site itself must be a practicable location
in light of
the factors set out in this section” (below).
Factors to consider in determining practicable alternatives include:

1.

the natural environment (topography, habitat, hazards, etc.);

 1. social concerns (aesthetics, historical and cultural values, land patterns,
etc.);
2.

economic aspects (cost of space, construction, services and relocation), and

1.

legal constraints (deeds, leases, etc.

).
According to 44 CFR Part 9.9 (b), alternatives considered include:

1. No Action Alternative
 No federal funding
. The Town of Blenheim would not
realign the
road
and would provide no other repairs.
1. Proposed Action Alternative -
Relocate the facili
ty off slope.
The
No Action Alternative
would not provide Federal funding to
realign Cole Hollow Road and take
the original alignment out of service.
Thus,
the original road would continue to be used, increasing the threat of
further erosion at this
location
. The no action
alternative may jeopardize public health,
safety, and well
-being and thus it would not address the project’s purpose and need.
The Proposed Action Alternative
would use eligible Federal funding to realign Cole Hollow off a
steep s
lope that is in danger of failing. Relocating the facility (i.e.,
realigning the road
) would
reduce
future risk
to the subgrantee’s roads and residents
. FEMA determines
that the proposed
project
would
have “no significant impact” to wetlands
because
less t
han 0.1 acre of wetland
would
be affected by new development.
The Subgrantee has reviewed
and dismissed an alternative that would stabilize the existing slope
using sheet pilings. This alternative would be more costly than the
proposed altenative and would
have greater impact to natural resources in the vicinity of the site, and
was determined to be
impracticable.
Step 4: Brainstorm and analyse the different choices

For this step, brainstorming to list down all the ideas is the best option. Before
the idea generation step, it is vital to understand the causes of the problem and
prioritization of causes.

For this, you can make use of Cause-and-Effect diagrams and Pareto Chart tool.
Cause-and-Effect diagram helps you to identify all possible causes of the
problem and Pareto chart helps you to prioritize and identify the causes with
highest effect.

Then, you can move on generating all possible solutions (alternatives) for the
problem in hand.
Step 5: Define Criteria
It is necessary to define discriminating criteria as objective measures of the
goals to measure how well each alternative achieves the project goals. Each
criterion should measure something important, and not depend on another
criterion. Criteria must discriminate among alternatives in a meaningful way
and should be:

Complete – include all goals

Operational – meaningful to the decision maker’s understanding of the
implications of the alternatives
Non-redundant – avoid double counting
Few in number – to keep the problem dimensions manageable

Input from the decision-maker(s) is essential to the development of useful

criteria. Moreover, the decision-maker’s approval is crucial before the criteria
are used to evaluate the alternatives.
Step 6:Select the Best Approach:

Examine each of your possible solutions in turn, with its list of pros and cons,
and decide which will be the most effective and beneficial. Try to be as
analytical as possible in this stage and try not to let your emotions about the
situation cloud your judgment. Keep your long-term goals in mind.
Step 7: Execute the decision

Convert your decision into a plan or a sequence of activities. Execute your plan
by yourself or with the help of subordinates.
Step 8:Evaluate and Communicate

Was your decision successful? It’s important to reflect on it for yourself and to
seek the opinion of others, once you’ve followed through on your decision. This
will give you important information for carrying out other key decisions in your
life that you will make in the future. Most decisions affect others in your life or
at your workplace. Bring them into the process and clearly communicate your
decision and the actions you have effected to bring it about.
When it comes to making decisions, one should always weigh the positive and
negative business consequences and should favour the positive outcomes.

This avoids the possible losses to the organization and keeps the company
running with a sustained growth. Sometimes, avoiding decision making seems
easier; especially, when you get into a lot of confrontation after making the
tough decision.

But, making the decisions and accepting its consequences is the only way to
stay in control of your corporate life and time.

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Best regards
@tamimiqbal