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