1. All you need to know about decision
making
by Toronto Training and HR
August 2015
2. CONTENTS
3-4 Introduction
5-6 Definitions
7-8 Types of decision
9-10 Phases of decision-making
11-12 A scientific method of decision-making
13-14 Decision-making strategies
15-16 Structured decision-making and the DECIDE model
17-19 Actions observed in effective decision-making
20-21 Dimensions that support effective decision-making
22-23 Collaborative decision-making
24-25 Decision support tools
26-28 Approaches to streamline the decision-making process
29-32 Big data
33-34 Techniques to improve intuition
35-38 Patterns of ensemble decision-making
39-40 Developing a decision profile
41-42 Keys to making better decisions
43-44 Making decisions under stress
45-46 Complicating factors for decision-making
47-48 Pitfalls of decision-making
49-50 Conclusion, summary and questions
Page 2
4. Page 4
Introduction to Toronto Training
and HR
Toronto Training and HR is a specialist training and
human resources consultancy headed by Timothy Holden
10 years in banking
15 years in training and human resources
Freelance practitioner since 2006
The core services provided by Toronto Training and HR
are:
Training event design
Training event delivery
HR support with an emphasis on reducing
costs, saving time plus improving employee
engagement and morale
Services for job seekers
12. A scientific
method of
decision-
making
ā¢ Ask questions
ā¢ Do background
research
ā¢ Construct a
hypothesis
ā¢ Test with an
experiment
ā¢ Analyze results
and draw a
conclusion
ā¢ True or false
hypothesis
Page 12
18. Actions observed
in effective
decision-making
1 of 2
ā¢ Gather information
before making a
decision
ā¢ Cross check
information sources
for agreement
ā¢ Identify
alternatives/continge
ncies so that
possible solutions
may be explored
Page 18
19. Actions observed
in effective
decision-making
2 of 2
ā¢ Discuss consequences
of decisions in an
effort to enhance the
decision-making
process
ā¢ Provide the rationale
for decisions
Page 19
27. Approaches to
streamline the
decision-making
process 1 of 2
ā¢ Approach the
process like an
investigation
ā¢ Gather a genuine
variety of opinions
ā¢ Limit under
influencing (or
priming) of opinions
ā¢ Keep track of
decisions over time
ā¢ Know your
competence
Page 27
28. Approaches to
streamline the
decision-making
process 2 of 2
Embedding these
practices
ā¢ Make decision-
process checks
ā¢ Follow a disciplined
decision process
ā¢ Regularly invite
stakeholder opinions
ā¢ No-blame reporting
ā¢ Realign incentives
ā¢ A specialist group
Page 28
30. Big data 1 of 3 ā¢ What is data?
ā¢ Evidence-based
decisions
ā¢ Knowledge
ā¢ Information
ā¢ What is unique about
big data?
ā¢ How does big data
produce value?
Page 30
31. Big data 2 of 3 ā¢ Key questions to ask
ā¢ Quality data
management
objectives
ā¢ Costs associated with
dirty data
ā¢ Tools critical to
improve data quality
ā¢ Internal data-
individual,
company/institutional
Page 31
32. Big data 3 of 3 ā¢ Insights produced
from data
ā¢ Applications of data
visualization tools
ā¢ Challenges which
prevent organizations
from capitalizing on
big data
Page 32
34. Techniques to
improve intuition
ā¢ Expand scope of
sources
ā¢ Develop more
alternatives
ā¢ Pay attention to trends
ā¢ Track what happens
Page 34
37. Patterns of
ensemble
decision-making
2 of 3
Adopting the right
framework
ā¢ Understand which
blueprint leaders
prefer
ā¢ Continually asses how
your preferred
blueprint helps or
hinders your
organizationās goals
for global expansion
Page 37
38. Patterns of
ensemble
decision-making
3 of 3
Adopting the right
framework (cont.)
ā¢ Understand the
connection between
the blueprint and the
way the ensemble
operates
Page 38
46. Complicating
factors for
decision-making
ā¢ Executives donāt know
what they donāt know
ā¢ Cognitive bias creeps in
ā¢ Organizational
processes get in the
way
ā¢ Decision makers tend
to rely on a single tool
ā¢ Managers donāt
consider the option to
delay a decision
Page 46