Dr. Akhlas Ahmed gave a lecture to the MBA class at Preston University on July 6th 2014 about the six steps of the decision making process: 1) Recognize the need for a decision, 2) Frame the problem, 3) Generate and evaluate alternatives, 4) Choose among the alternatives, 5) Implement the chosen alternative, and 6) Learn from feedback about the decision. The lecture emphasized generating creative alternatives, evaluating alternatives based on specified criteria, considering all information when ranking alternatives, implementing chosen decisions, and learning from decisions through feedback to improve future choices.

1. Dr. Akhlas Ahmed
Preston University
MBA Class, Lecture # 03
July 6th 2014

2. Recognize need for
a decision
Frame the problem
Generate & assess alternatives
Choose among alternatives
Implement chosen
alternative
Learn from feedback

3. 1. Recognize need for a decision:
Managers must first realize the need
for which a decision must be made.

4. Recognize need for
a decision
Frame the problem
Generate & assess alternatives
Choose among alternatives
Implement chosen
alternative
Learn from feedback

5. 2. Frame the problem: managers must
frame problem for which decision is to
be made.

6. Recognize need for
a decision
Frame the problem
Generate & assess alternatives
Choose among alternatives
Implement chosen
alternative
Learn from feedback

7. 3. Generate alternatives: managers must develop feasible
alternative courses of action.
▪ If good alternatives are missed, the resulting
decision is poor.
▪ It is hard to develop creative alternatives, so
managers need to look for new ideas.
Evaluate alternatives: what are the advantages and
disadvantages of each alternative?
▪ Managers should specify criteria, then evaluate.

8. Recognize need for
a decision
Frame the problem
Generate & assess alternatives
Choose among alternatives
Implement chosen
alternative
Learn from feedback

9. 4. Choose among alternatives: managers
rank alternatives and decide.
▪ While ranking, all information needs to be
considered.

10. Recognize need for
a decision
Frame the problem
Generate & assess alternatives
Choose among alternatives
Implement chosen
alternative
Learn from feedback

11. 5. Implement choose alternative: managers
must now carry out the alternative.
▪ Often a decision is made and not implemented.

12. Recognize need for
a decision
Frame the problem
Generate & assess alternatives
Choose among alternatives
Implement chosen
alternative
Learn from feedback

13. 6. Learn from feedback: managers should
consider what went right and wrong with
the decision and learn for the future.
▪ Without feedback, managers never learn from
experience and might repeat the same mistake.

14. Recognize need for
a decision
Frame the problem
Generate & assess alternatives
Choose among alternatives
Implement chosen
alternative
Learn from feedback