Decision Making LESSON 6 Well-considered decisions are essential for team success. If a poor decision is made, the team may risk failure, resulting in serious repercussions, especially for the leader. READ THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS ON PAGE 360

Decision Making   When possible solutions have been identified, there are different methods that can be used to decide on the best solution for the problem. These methods are outlined in table on page 631   READ THIS NOW

IN CLASS DISCUSSION Within teams, with or without a leader, the consensus style is the most acceptable decision-making process.

Decision Making Tools Decision-making tools assist in organising information into logical sequences or categories. A few examples are brainstorming, PMI analysis (plus, minus, implications), force-field analysis and cost- benefit analysis.

  Brainstorming   Brainstorming is a process that allows all team members to put forward ideas relating to a specific topic. It is an effective problem- solving tool, as numerous ideas can be generated in a non-judgmental way and various perspectives can be obtained on any one idea.

  PMIs A PMI analysis (plus, minus, implications) is a valuable decision-making tool when a team needs to decide whether to change an existing practice or procedure. For example, a business that is considering reducing its number of product lines may completed a PMI analysis like the one in figure on page 363

Force-field analysis   A force-field analysis assists in looking at all of the pros and cons of a decision.   There are three steps involved in this process. 1 Place a rectangle in the centre of a sheet of paper and write the proposed change in it. 2 On the left-hand side, list the pros for the change, and on the right-hand side list all of the cons against the change. 3 Assign a score to each argument, from 5 (strong) to 1 (weak). 4 Total the numbers next to each point in the list of pros and the list of cons—the side with the highest number represents the preferred outcome.   LOOK AT 6.20 page 364

  Cost-benefit analysis   A cost-benefit analysis is used to determine how well, or how poorly, a planned action will turn out. Although a cost-benefit analysis can be used for almost anything, it is most commonly employed on financial questions. In a cost-benefit analysis, the total financial costs of the change are compared with the time it takes for the benefits of the change to repay its costs.

QUESTION – BSBWOR203A 2.3  In a well constructed paragraph, compare the main difference between each method of decision making tools.  Which method of decision making do you prefer and why. Swap your answer with the person next to you once done and compare responses