Decision Making and Project Management

Hi Luis, et al;

Years ago, I heard the saying "in small decisions, follow your head; in big decisions follow your heart (or gut)".

It's interesting in the past few days how many topics I've read that talk about heart/gut/data/mind when making a decision - it does pose interesting conversation.

I believe that the longer we have to think about how to make a decision, we can become trapped and question ourselves over and over - which leads to that old analysis by paralysis situation. In certain situations consideration is highly necessary and recommended - for instance, when considering treatment for a serious health condition - and because we are afforded with plenty of data from the scientist and medical professionals who can help us make a more accurate decision.

However, in simple situtaions - should I choose the red or the blue car? should I turn right or left? - we can quickly analyze the data, and make a choice "I've driven only red cars before, so now I choose blue!". Or, I'm turning right because I typically turn left, and i remember there is traffic in this location.

In any case, it's necessary to stand behind the decision you've made, popular or unpopular, and remember there are other opportunities ahead which will allow you to change course if necessary.

Dear Luis, Very good question. In my view, a project manager should be able to follow both systematic and unsystematic approaches(but with focus on the project) in either executing a project, sub-project or smaller than that. If it is linked to a programme, the drivers of that programme will also either directly or indirectly influence the project. For any project, the dependencies are several. They can be either internal or external to the organisation. In order to progress in the project, accommodate unplanned/sudden requirements, or motivate staff, project manager may end up in following unsystematic processes. In addition, multi-vendor environments and their fragmented/divided services(i.e., Infrastructure, AD, AM, Integration or Wed/Digital etc) and introduction or evolution of technology plays a big role. I have followed both systematic and unsystematic methods in several of my projects or programmes to enable my colleagues to make decisions based on empirical and non nonempirical methods. This has ensured that my team's Learning and Development capabilities instead of just following the routine hierarchical decision making processes. I can say I have ensured around 40% of my team to become more empowered and decision makers than being just stereotypes. Though they have moved on to different organisations, I can proudly say they are doing well and more importantly they are still in touch with me. To conclude, I vote for both methods, but with a caution of proper due diligence.

The important approach to the decision making process is not to be bound by it. By this I mean that in some instances you will have more information and clarity about a situation when making a decision compared to other times. The most important task is to validate the information that you receive as much as possible before you even think about acting upon it. Also a point of escalation for the decision making process should exist within a team and escalate up to a decision point, that is a person in authority who has all the available information at hand to make a decision. A project manager needs to balance all lines of communication carefully so that any decision made which has ramifications further along the line needs to relayed and explain appropriately. Involving more people in the decision making process to dilute the risk is not a very professional approach to dealing with the decision making process and shows a distinct lack of leadership by the project manager. The use of percentage risk and outcome is an approach being adopted where every risk is weigh including the risk associated with making a decision that leads to a bad outcome.

The important approach to the decision making process is not to be bound by it. By this I mean that in some instances you will have more information and clarity about a situation when making a decision compared to other times. The most important task is to validate the information that you receive as much as possible before you even think about acting upon it. Also a point of escalation for the decision making process should exist within a team and escalate up to a decision point, that is a person in authority who has all the available information at hand to make a decision. A project manager needs to balance all lines of communication carefully so that any decision made which has ramifications further along the line needs to relayed and explain appropriately. Involving more people in the decision making process to dilute the risk is not a very professional approach to dealing with the decision making process and shows a distinct lack of leadership by the project manager. The use of percentage risk and outcome is an approach being adopted where every risk is weigh including the risk associated with making a decision that leads to a bad outcome.

Hi Daire,
I agree with your email.
I believe a structured process for decision making is called for when the decision is an important one with major consequences. Of course and analyzing relevant data is an important part of the process.
Regards
Uri

Dear Uri,

I have seen important decisions being 'made on the fly' with little or no information at hand. Sometimes people have been 'lucky' and the decisions have worked out in the project managers favour. Other times, the consequences have been disastrous for everybody involved in the project.

Daire

Dear Suneel
Thank you for participating in this reflection and for your opinion

I haven't seen you comment on the reflections in our community for some time
Is everything okay with you?
I'm glad to have the opportunity to read your comment


You wrote: "In my view, a project manager should be able to follow both systematic and unsystematic approaches (but with focus on the project)"

Want to talk a little more about these approaches?