Hopefully, you’ve identified and clarified what decision needs to be made, gathered all relevant information, and developed and considered the potential paths to take. Below are some important steps in the decision-making process. Matt Johnson Ph.D. on September 22, 2020 in Mind, Brain, and Value. Did you answer the question? Get real time update about this post categories directly on your device, subscribe now. Did the decision go as you proposed it would? Definition and Examples of the Consumer Decision-Making Process, The 4 Phases of the Project Management Life Cycle. If your decision proved ineffectual, then maybe you didn’t clearly define the problem in step one. 1282 Concordia Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104 The process isn’t perfect—remember, it’s only as good as what you put into it. While serendipitous discovery often follows those that accept a more organic, nonlinear path, that creative approach is the luxury of those with time to spare. A maximizing approach, on the other hand, waits for conditions to be as perfect as possible to minimize potential risks. Psychology Today © 2020 Sussex Publishers, LLC. In addition, the selection of the best alternative is an informed decision since you have previously accompanied a methodology to determine and select the best alternative. This one’s a no-brainer. You can learn a decision-making process that allows you to quickly assess the best choice and make it based on data that supports the objectives and goals you’ve been tasked to achieve. Steps of the Decision-Making Process. Look at the decision from all angles. You may need to accept that panic, fear, and lack of self-confidence are often part of the decision-making process. Run each alternative through your head. Lucidchart is the essential visual productivity platform that helps anyone understand and share ideas, information, and processes with clarity. However, sometimes a person has to make a decision that will have a profound impact on their future—from who they marry to where they live to how they manage their professional career. You plan your projects, so why shouldn’t you plan your decision-making process? The most popular online Visio alternative, Lucidchart is used in over 180 countries by more than 15 million users, from sales managers mapping out prospective organizations to IT directors visualizing their network infrastructure. However, there are steps to ensure that people make consistently excellent choices, including gathering as much information as possible, considering all the possible alternatives, as well as their attendant benefits and costs, and taking the time to sleep on weightier decisions. Providers and other key stakeholders need to be able to see where the request is in the decision-making process. The above diagram shows that a large number of disciplines influence and interact on strategic decision making in organisations. Researchers have studied the managerial decision-making process and have identified six stages that go into making an informed decision. When a large number of people are involved in making a decision, the process can be usurped by groupthink. Veronika Tait Ph.D. on September 23, 2020 in Pulling Through. Professionals rarely have such a privilege.

Your choice in Step 5 may very likely be the same or similar to the alternative you placed at the top of your list at the end of Step 4. All Rights Reserved. Collect some pertinent information before you make your decision: what information is needed, the best sources of information, and how to get it.