Understanding and Evaluating How Leaders Solve Problems Decision Making in Educational Leadership, Chapter 6 ON THE JOB DECISION MAKING

How can it be explained? How can it be evaluated? Decision Making & Problem Solving

Recognizing situations that resemble previous experiences to help determine the best course of action Based on experience Quick, not quality Choosing between alternative courses of action based on their calculation of the probability of each alternative satisfying their preference Based on information (lots of it) Unrealistic assumptions DECISION MAKING APPROACHES ClassicalNaturalistic

EVALUATING PROBLEM SOLVING Problem: A demand that a goal be achieved, plus constraints on the manner in which it is achieved Constraints: Conditions that define what counts as an acceptable solution to the problem Reduce the number of possible solutions Interact in ways that require weighing and integrating

EVALUATING PROBLEM SOLVING Accuracy: Are the assumptions of the solution and/or constraints correct? Effectiveness: Does the solution achieve intended outcomes, and satisfy constraints? Coherence: Are the constraints prioritized and weighted appropriately Improvability: Is there room to ask questions to evaluate the solution Is the solution theory effective? (Single Loop Learning) Have key constraints been weighted? Are new ones needed? (Double Loop Learning) Problem-Based Models use evaluative criteria to determine the quality of possible solutions

Attached to a tree Inexpensive materials Simple to install DECIDING ON A TREE SWING Constraints

Attached to a tree Inexpensive materials Simple to install A kid can swing on it No more than one rope per branch DECIDING ON A TREE SWING Constraints

Attached to a tree Inexpensive materials Simple to install A kid can swing on it No more than one rope per branch DECIDING ON A TREE SWING Constraints

Attached to a tree Inexpensive materials Simple to install A kid can swing on it No more than one rope per branch DECIDING ON A TREE SWING Constraints

Attached to a tree Inexpensive materials Simple to install A kid can swing on it No more than one rope per branch NEGOTIATING CONSTRAINTS Constraints Attached to a tree Inexpensive materials Simple to install A kid can swing on it No more than one rope per branch Constraints

TABLE TALK What was the problem? What were the constraints? Which constraints were the most important? Did you reach a good solution? How do you know? Think of a problem you have helped to solve

EVALUATING PROBLEM SOLVING Accuracy: Are the assumptions of constraints correct? Effectiveness: Do the solution options satisfy constraints? Coherence: Are the constraints prioritized and weighted appropriately Improvability: Is there room to ask questions to evaluate the solution Is the solution theory effective? (Single Loop Learning) Have key constraints been weighted? Are new ones needed? (Double Loop Learning) Problem: Select the Holy Grail from the multitude of options Constraints: It should be in the room It should be an appropriate cup for a _______

THOUGHTS, QUESTIONS, COMMENTS?

IMAGE SOURCES Choose Wisely: He Chose Poorly : 00/indiana+jones+and+the+last+crusade.jpg 00/indiana+jones+and+the+last+crusade.jpg Tire Swing Illustrations: You Must Choose: