Decision making involves choosing between alternatives and reaching a judgment or opinion. It is a cognitive process that includes considering options and making a choice. The decision making process involves defining the problem, analyzing it, generating possible solutions, analyzing the solutions, selecting the best option, and planning the next steps. Problem solving is related and involves working through the details of an issue to find a resolution. It follows a similar process of identifying issues, understanding interests, listing options, evaluating options, selecting an option, documenting agreements, and planning for contingencies. The key elements of decision making include understanding who is affected by the problem, setting the agenda, considering rationales, determining the scope and seriousness, using technical aids, implementing the outcome.

1. Decision Making and Problem
Solving
Krishantha Jayasundara

2. What is Decision Making?
Cognitive
Process
Opinion
Judgment
Choosing
an
Alternative
Consider
something

3. Decision Making
An act of making up your mind
about something
A position or opinion or judgment
reached after consideration.

4. Process of Decision Making
Planning
Controlling OrganizingLeading
Directing
Decision Making

5. Strategic Decision Making Process

6. The Elements of Decision Making
• The problem context (Who is affected by the
problem)

7. The Elements of Decision Making
• Problem finding and agenda setting

8. The Elements of Decision Making
• Rationales (the reason for doing or believing
in something)

9. The Elements of Decision Making

10. The Elements of Decision Making
• Scope and Level (how serious is the problem)

11. The Elements of Decision Making
• Procedural and technical aids

12. The Elements of Decision Making
• Outcome (The result of the decision)

13. The Elements of Decision Making
• Implementation

14. Definitions of Problem Solving
• Analytical Skills
• Mathematical skills
• Forward thinking
• Cause and effect analysis
Process of
working
through details
of a problem
To reach a
solution

15. Problem
Solving/Problem
Management
Process Decision

16. • Problem solving is a mental process of
problem finding and problem shaping

17. Seven Steps for Effective Problem
Solving in the Workplace
1. Identify the
issues.
2. Understand
everyone's
interests.
3. List the possible
solutions (options)
4. Evaluate the
options.
5. Select an option
or options.
6. Document the
agreement(s).
7. Agree on
contingencies,
monitoring, and
evaluation.

18. Process of Decision Making
Defining the
problem
Problem Analysis
Generating
possible Solutions
Analyzing
solutions
Selecting the best
solutions
Planning the next
course of action

19. 1. Defining the Problem
Identify
Clear doubts
What you want
to achieve
Analysis

20. 2. Analyzing the Problem
• Current situation

21. 3. Generating Possible Solutions
Possible
alternatives
Make a list
of them

22. 4. Analyzing the Solutions
Pros and cons
Practicality of
each alternatives
Safety

23. 5. Selecting the Best Solution
The most
appropriate
solution
Low cost
High
effectiveness

24. 6. Planning the next course of action
Plan what you
are going to do
Draw up the
action plan
Avoid possible
issues in future