Question

Decision making refers to making choices among alternative courses of action— which may also include inaction.

i) Discuss the steps of decision-making,

ii) describe the organizational decisions that you might need to take at operational level,

iii) what are the basic questions to assess to ensure decisions are ethical?

Answer 1

1) ans) In its simplest sense, decision-making is the act of choosing between two or more courses of action.
In the wider process of problem-solving, decision-making involves choosing between possible solutions to a problem. Decisions can be made through either an intuitive or reasoned process

7 Steps of the Decision-Making Process

Identify the decision

Gather relevant information

Identify the alternatives

Weigh the evidence

Choose among the alternatives

Take action

Review your decision

7 decision-making process steps

Decision making is one of the most basic yet significant management skills for all of us to have. And it can differ from person to person. Making decisions that are based on careful analysis of numerous circumstances especially in a timely manner is critical. Therefore, it shouldn’t be procrastinated or taken in haste.  

Making decisions can be hard, especially when the odds are not in your favor. But, by following the below well-structured process or steps in decision making, you will be able to make influential decisions. professionals most commonly use these seven steps.

1. Identify the decision

To make a decision, you must first identify the problem you need to solve or the question you need to answer. Clearly define your decision. If you misidentify the problem to solve, or if the problem you’ve chosen is too broad, you’ll knock the decision train off the track before it even leaves the station.

If you need to achieve a specific goal from your decision, make it measurable and timely so you know for certain that you met the goal at the end of the process.

2. Gather relevant information

Once you have identified your decision, it’s time to gather the information relevant to that choice. Do an internal assessment, seeing where your organization has succeeded and failed in areas related to your decision. Once you have recognized the problem, you must define the nature of the problem. Diagnosing the problem will help you understand the root cause, and therefore, you will be able to gather as much information as possible to find a solution.
Also, seek information from external sources, including studies, market research, and, in some cases, evaluation from paid consultants.

3. Identify the alternatives

With relevant information now at your fingertips, identify possible solutions to your problem. There is usually more than one option to consider when trying to meet a goal—The primary objective of developing alternative solutions is to be able to make the best possible decision out of it. The benefit of identifying alternative solutions is that it allows you to come up with original and creative solutions to the problems. Opting for the alternative based on the decision criteria will enhance the value of your decision.
for example, if your company is trying to gain more engagement on social media, your alternatives could include paid social advertisements, a change in your organic social media strategy, or a combination of the two.

4. Weigh the evidence

Once you have identified multiple alternatives, weigh the evidence for or against said alternatives. See what companies have done in the past to succeed in these areas, and take a good hard look at your own organization’s wins and losses. Identify potential pitfalls for each of your alternatives, and weigh those against the possible rewards.

5. Choose among alternatives

Here is the part of the decision-making process where you, you know, make the decision. 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. You are perfectly prepared to choose.

6. Take action

Once you’ve made your decision, act on it! Develop a plan to make your decision tangible and achievable. Develop a project plan related to your decision, and then set the team loose on their tasks once the plan is in place.

7. Review your decision

After a predetermined amount of time—which you defined in step one of the decision-making process—take an honest look back at your decision. Did you solve the problem? Did you answer the question? Did you meet your goals?

If so, take note of what worked for future reference. If not, learn from your mistakes as you begin the decision-making process again.

2) decision required at operational level- these are the decision that are made on day
To day basis to carryout the day to day business
Activities at the bottom level decision are made regarding-
‌What is to be done?
‌when is to be done?
‌by whom it is to be done?
‌
3) Basic questions to assess to ensure decisions ethical are:

‌how will my decision affect others?

‌are they any rules and regulations that are being violated by your decision?

‌how it will affect positively?

‌how it will affect negatively?

‌what will be affect on society as a whole?