Structured Decision Making: The Six Factor Analysis Method

Some people flip a coin, others use a crystal ball to make decisions.  The more important the decision, the more important it is to have some process by which you arrive at your decision.  Join us this week, as we discuss structured decision making.

Monday’s Tip: Brainstorm a list of several possible solutions. You need to have options to evaluate.  Get your group together, and put as many alternatives together as you can think of.  Evaluate them after the fact.

Tuesday’s Tip: Decide on a clear criteria on which you will base your decision. Some standard criteria are effectiveness, feasibility, cost, time, capability, acceptance (or enthusiasm).  Adjust these criteria, or add more to best address your situation.

Wednesday’s Tip: Not all criteria are create equal. Weight your criteria for your situation.  In some cases cost may be paramount.  As such, give it a higher weighting than the others.

Thursday’s Tip: Objectively score each alterative on each criteria. Being objective is hard work, but if you look at each criteria individually, it is easier to get a complete evaluation of each alternative.

Friday’s Tip: Move to action once your decision has been made. Do not second guess.  Once you’ve made your decision based on more objective criteria, take action on that decision.  Only reopen a decision if more or better information has come to light.