HD30.23.M342

[p. v: contents] Contents Mentor?s Message: The Business Value of Making Smart Decisions Making Decisions: The Basics What Is Decision Making? A preview of the steps managers must follow to make decisions effectively. Decision making as a group process Making decisions: eight steps Step 1: Setting the Stage How to lay the groundwork for successful decision making. Determining who will participate in the decision Selecting a decision-making approach Fostering the right climate Step 2: Recognizing Obstacles Strategies for handling the inevitable challenges you?ll encounter. Anticipating cognitive biases Managing group dynamics Step 3: Framing the Issue at Hand Advice for identifying an issue?s causes and clarifying your objectives. Distinguishing between symptoms and root causes Performing a root-cause analysis Articulating your decision-making objectives Step 4: Generating Alternatives Suggestions for coming up with potential courses of action. Brainstorming Encouraging productive dialogue Promoting fair process Step 5: Evaluating Alternatives Tactics for determining the best course of action. Weighing a range of variables Using a prioritization matrix Analyzing trade-offs Using a decision tree Step 6: Making the Decision Ideas for arriving at a final choice. Moving toward closure Ending the deliberations Step 7: Communicating the Decision Suggestions for informing others of the decision. Taking the right approach Including the right content in your message Step 8: Implementing the Decision Recommendations for putting the decision into action. Assigning tasks, allocating resources Monitoring and following up Making needed adjustments Assessing Your Decision-Making Process Ideas for learning from?and improving?your decision-making. Understanding the six characteristics of effective decision-making Making ethical decisions Tips and Tools Tools for Making Decisions Worksheets to help you set the stage for making a decision, plan a brainstorming session, evaluate alternatives, communicate a decision you?ve made, and assess your team?s decision-making process. Test Yourself A helpful review of concepts presented in this guide. Take it before and after you?ve read the guide, to see how much you?ve learned. Answers to test questions To Learn More Further titles of articles and books if you want to go more deeply into the topic. Sources for Making Decisions Notes For you to use as ideas come to mind.

"How can you be sure that your business decision is the right one? This book leads readers through the process of making and implementing a decision."--BOOK JACKET.