Two Blind Squirrels

Decision Making Paradigms

published Jan 10, 2007 06:00

Show 589

Enjoy the show,

- Two Blind Squirrels

(( Download ))

Related Article:

The Essentials Of Decision Making
By Jonathan Farrington

Decision-making is something that happens throughout our day but with different degrees of importance, urgency and consequential outcomes.

The important points are:

• Understand the real objectives

• Know the situation

• Be in control

• Carry out analysis using appropriate tools

• Present findings logically

• Select an option

• Do it!

The Benefits of Effective Decision-Making

By following a robust procedure and applying thought and logic to your decision-making process you should be able to make decisions that are:

• Inclusive – take into account the interests of all affected parties

• Defensible – based on the key points and then weighted and prioritised taking into account the relevant values

• Optimal – in both terms of results and in addressing problems

• Sensible – and understandable to interested parties

• Implementable – differentiate between rational and non-rational as well as rationalised

• Value-adding – to the organisation or individual

Success comes from the quality of the decision itself as well as the robustness of implementation or application.

Tips

• Once you have finished your deliberations, make the decision quickly – circumstances may change or you may lose momentum.

• Don’t sacrifice long-term gain for short-term expediency.

• Understand the differences between important and urgent – the latter requires a rapid decision, but important decisions may require more protracted analysis. An urgent and important decision needs the right level of analysis to enable the optimal decision to be made.

• Remember, people generally support decisions in which they have participated.

• Do not postpone important but non-urgent decisions – set your own deadlines and do not let them be imposed on you.

• If a decision is no longer appropriate, change it – but in a measured manner, not with a knee-jerk reaction.

• If you need help, get it.

Copyright © 2006 Jonathan Farrington. All rights reserved

Jonathan Farrington is the Managing Partner of The jfa Group. To find out more about the author or to subscribe to his newsletter for dedicated business professionals, visit: http://www.jonathanfarrington.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Farrington