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7 Steps in Decision Making

These 7 steps in decision making will give you the essential elements of a structured process model. From issue identification to action, evaluation and learning. Improve your decision making ... in just a minute!

This is one of our Manage in a Minute pages. These contain essential tips on fundamental management topics. No fuss or side-tracks, they get straight to the point. Here, in a series of bullet points which can be read in a minute (ish!), are some essential tips on decision making.

7 Steps in Decision Making: from Identification to Implementation

Identify a problem or opportunity

The first step is to recognise a problem or to see opportunities that may be worthwhile.

Will it really make a difference to our customers?

How worthwhile will it be to solve this problem or realise this opportunity?

Gather information

What is relevant and what is not relevant to the decision?

What do you need to know before you can make a decision, or that will help you make the right one?

Who knows, who can help, who has the power and influence to make this happen (or to stop it)?

Analyze the situation

What alternative courses of action may be available to you?

What different interpretations of the data may be possible?

Develop options

Generate several possible options.

Be creative and positive.

Ask "what if" questions.

How would you like your situation to be?

Evaluate alternatives

What criteria should you use to evaluate?

Evaluate for feasibility, acceptability and desirability

Which alternative will best achieve your objectives?

Select a preferred alternative

Explore the provisional preferred alternative for future possible adverse consequences.

What problems might it create?

What are the risks of making this decision?

Act on the decision

Put a plan in place to implement the decision.

Have you allocated resources to implement?

Is the decision accepted and supported by colleagues?

Are they committed to making the decision work?

Essential Steps in Decision Making: Evaluate and Learn

It's useful to review how successful the decision has been, and the effectiveness of the decision making process. Monitor these by asking:

How will you evaluate the success of the decision?

How can you improve on the decision making process?

What did you do well?

What can be improved?

What are you now able to do that you couldn't, before implementing the decision?

If you do have the time to read more on this topic, follow the full discussion in our article: Rational Decision Making Model. Or look at other detailed discussions on some of our related articles on Decision Making page.

Still pressed for time? Follow this link for the full list of Manage in a Minute pages.

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