Decision Making and Project Management

Hi Luis,

"Decision Making" - This is one of the main capability of all leaders in any type of organization.

It's one of the property which can't be learned it's by born. Because it's an intangible property which anybody can use social, family & organization belt also.

In my opinion it's particularly a "MASTER VOICE", just like "DO AS I SAY".

(I have got the below points from internet, like to share with you)

7 Steps in Decision Making: from Identification to Implementation

1 Identify a problem or opportunity
• The first step is to recognize a problem or to see opportunities that may be worthwhile.
• Will it really make a difference to our customers?
• How worthwhile will it be to solve this problem or realize this opportunity?

2 Gather information
• What is relevant and what is not relevant to the decision?
• What do you need to know before you can make a decision, or that will help you make the right one?
• Who knows, who can help, who has the power and influence to make this happen (or to stop it)?

3 Analyze the situation
• What alternative courses of action may be available to you?
• What different interpretations of the data may be possible?

4 Develop options(Alternative Solution)
• Generate several possible options.
• Be creative and positive.
• Ask “what if” questions.
• How would you like your situation to be?

5 Evaluate alternatives
• What criteria should you use to evaluate?
• Evaluate for feasibility, acceptability and desirability.
• Which alternative will best achieve your objectives?

6 Select a preferred alternative
• Explore the provisional preferred alternative for future possible adverse consequences.
• What problems might it create?
• What are the risks of making this decision?

7 Act on the decision
• Put a plan in place to implement the decision.
• Have you allocated resources to implement?
• Is the decision accepted and supported by colleagues?
• Are they committed to making the decision work?

Thanks,
Rajon

Dear Luis,

The point that I am trying to get across is that even as human beings and project managers we have made millions of decisions in our lives, some trivial and some career ending and some career defining but the process for each decision is some how unique to that set of characteristics and the circumstances that we find ourselves in at that point in time. Yes there is a process that we can go through, a sort of check list and tick box but at the end of the day a lot of 'gut instinct' plays it part in the decisions we make. Quotes like, if it seems too good to be true'; ' if it looks like a duck...' you get the idea, play in the back of our brain and ultimately influence our decision making process.

Dear Rajon
Thank you for participating in this reflection and for your opinion.

You wrote: "It's one of the property which can't be learned it's born"

I would like to better understand your point of view

On the other hand you wrote: "Decision Making" - This is one of the main capability of all leaders in any type of organization "

How do you relate the two points?

Dear Kiron
Thank you for participating in this reflection and for your opinion.

We are in agreement with what you wrote: "I think it is valuable when facing a complex decision-making situation on a project to define the process upfront for how key decisions will get made and the governance around those"

Do you have any process already defined?

What is your opinion about the 3 points suggested by Daire? (and presented otherwise by me)

I would suggest that collecting "all information" might be wasteful. The focus should be on minimal sufficiency.

Decisions need to be timed well - I like the lean principle of waiting till the last responsible moment a lot. A good PM has the judgment to do the mental calculation of whether the Cost of Delay exceeds the Cost of a Poor Decision before proceeding...

Kiron

Dear kiron
Thanks for your feedback

I understand what you mean by "I suggest that collecting" all the information "could be a waste"

However, how do you explain to me that the oldest complaint still remains? (in project teams and also in companies)

Sorry Luis - you've lost me :-) Which oldest complaint?

Kiron

Hi Luis,

The process I typically follow for any decision is:

- Collect/Validate all the information
- What are the risks/rewards associated with your decision.
- If you still have doubt consult with a trusted colleague/expert who might have more experience with a similar situation.