1. Make Decisions to Solve Problems
NC CTE 3.02: Utilize critical-thinking skills to determine best options/outcomes.
Make Decisions to Solve Problems

2. Learning Objectives Define the term decision-making.
Distinguish between decision-making and problem solving.
Describe the need/importance of decision-making in everyday life.
Identify decision-making styles.
Describe factors that influence decision-making.
Explain the importance of using an organized decision-making process.

3. Finding solutions to obstacles or problems.
The Process:
Define the problem
State and check your assumptions
Collect information
Analyze the information
Determine possible solutions
Select and implement a solution
Evaluate the solution

4. Choosing among alternatives.
Pinpoint your objective
Determine what you need to know
Gather the information you need
Select an appropriate decision-making style
Establish decision criteria
Identify alternatives
Weigh the pros and cons
Make the decision
Evaluate the decision’s success
Choosing among alternatives.
The Process:

5. Problem-solving and Decision-making are interrelated
Problem-solving and Decision-making are interrelated. Decisions are made throughout the problem-solving process.
Problem-solving
Decision-making
Concerned with overcoming obstacles in the path toward an objective
May or may not require action
An act of requiring judgment that is translated into action
More comprehensive than problem-solving

6. Discuss Decision-making Tips: http://www.liraz.com/tdecision.htm
Each person is a result of all of the decisions made in their life to date.
Discuss Decision-making Tips:

7. Decision-making Styles
1. Top-Down Decision-Making
2. Bottom-Up Decision-Making
3. Representative Decision-Making
4. Quantitative vs. Qualitative Decision-Making
Source:

8. Top-Down Decision-Making
Heads of an organization make the decisions and pass them down to other members of the organization to implement.
May result in unrealistic goals and excessive amounts of work for other members of the organization

9. Bottom-Up Decision-Making
Input from multiple levels is considered in the process
Heads of an organization still make the final decision based on input

10. Representative Decision-making
Selected individual (s) from each department along with leadership are part of the decision-making process
Individuals solicit input on decisions from their co-workers and bring that input to meetings where the group considers all possible options
Decisions made by the group

11. Quantitative vs. Qualitative Decision-making
Focuses on experience and considers other aspects, such as employee feelings and customer relationships
Quantitative
Use of facts and numbers in order to come up with a decision

12. Important Factors Influencing Decision-making
Setting up a system
Maintain a constructive environment and open mind, allowing everyone to contribute.
Generating the best alternatives
Examine all possible alternatives
Checking the decision
Check or test decisions before fully implementing them
Communicating the decision
Communicate decision to the organization, shareholders and other people involved with the company

13. Discuss the Decision-making Process using an example

14. Pinpoint your objective
Purchase a new pair of Jeans

15. Determine what you need to know
How much do I have to spend?
What size do I need?
Where do I want to shop?

16. Gather the information you need
I have $60 saved
I need size 8
I usually shop at American Eagle, Aeropostale or Hollister

17. Select an appropriate decision-making style
Quantitative Decision-making style
I will use facts and data to make my decision

18. Establish decision criteria
Size
Price
Style
Color

19. Identify alternatives
Criteria
Hollister
American Eagle
Aeropostale
Size
0-11
0-18
000-18
Avg. Price
$60
$50
$25
Style
8 Styles
20 Styles
7 Styles
Color
Limited
Variety

20. Weigh the pros and cons All three have the size that I need.
I can't afford the Hollister jeans because I will need additional money for taxes.
American Eagle has a better variety of styles and colors but is more expensive than Aeropostale.
I will have enough money to buy a shirt too if I purchase the jeans from Aeropostale.

21. Make the decision
I decided to pay more for the better quality and more variety

22. Evaluate the decision’s success
I'm happy with my decision and my jeans fit perfectly!