In this article
Written by Jonathan Allen
There are plenty of theories, frameworks, and classifications out there about the right way to make decisions within an organization. We wanted to share a few simple ideas and give you a chance to assess how you are doing.
Everything that happens in an organization, for better or worse, stems from the decisions made. For that reason, good decision-making within an organization becomes a force-multiplier.
Here are three simple principles you can apply in organizational decision-making:
Principle #1: Decision-making is an acquired skill
Good decision-making doesn’t just happen naturally.
The good news is that it is something that can be learned with effort and practice. The more people in an organization that have the mindset and the skills for making decisions, the more likely the organization will succeed.
Principle #2: The building blocks of decision-making methodologies
There are many different methods for decision-making. Different types of decisions may require a different method.
However, essentially all decisions include the following basic building blocks:
- Desired outcome(s)
- Alternatives
- Criteria
- Stakeholders, and
- Information or data (embedded in each of the above components).
Even personal decisions have these components in them, though they may not be explicitly stated or outlined. If you understand the building blocks, you can hone in on the most relevant information and move through the decision process effectively.
Principle #3: The Art and Science of Decision-Making
The best decision-makers are those who have an ability to bring the right information (or data) and people together at the right time.
This is, in a nutshell, the art and science of decision-making. The art includes effectively involving and empowering others, using intuition and experience, and obtaining buy-in and commitment from those involved. The science includes methodology, tools, and data.
Now that you know these simple principles, how will you put them into practice?
Interested in learning more? Then you'll want to watch our latest webinar, "Improve Your Decision-Making Skill Sets".
Related blog articles:
6 Steps For Effective Decision-Making
The Best Decision Makers of Our Day
