DECISION-MAKING

“Decisions! Decisions! Decisions!” is the cry of people who loathe even the idea of making a decision. Yet, making a decision is not dreadful if you follow some simple guidelines.

First, avoid loss of objectivity. Second, distinguish between assumptions and facts, but if any doubt exists over whether a piece of information is a fact or an assumption, treat it as an assumption until you can confirm its status. Finally, recognize all constraints imposed on decision-making capabilities, such as schedule or budget, and, if doubt still exists, trust your intuition.

for Effective Decision-Making

• Look at the big picture.
• Take the emotions out of the situation.
• Define the specific goal you want to achieve from the decision.
• Determine specific objectives that are based on the goal.
• Develop alternatives to achieve the objectives.
• Evaluate alternatives to achieve the objectives.
• Select the alternative for achieving each objective.
• Monitor performance in achieving objectives.
• Take corrective action, if necessary.