Decision making is vital for school administrators. Herbert Simon called it the "heart of executive activity" and Jack Duncan wrote that decision making is the one generic part of an administrator's job. Decision making involves a process that is influenced by information, situational constraints, values and beliefs. There are usually alternatives that require analysis and a choice, which results in action that should be evaluated.

1. Decision Making

2. Decision Making
“The ability to make effective decisions
is vital to the successful performance
of a school administrator. Herbert
Simon has called it the “heart of
executive activity” and, more recently,
Jack Duncan writes that the one thing
‘generic’ to the job of an administrator
is decision making.”
School Leadership and Administration

3. What is decision
making?

4. Decision making involves . . .
 A process
 Requires a perceived problem
 Influenced by information
 Influenced by situational constraints
 Influenced by values and beliefs
 Usually has alternatives
 Requires analysis
 Requires a choice
 Results in action
 Should be evaluated

5. Thoughts about Decision
Making
 Decisions force us to foreclose other
opportunities
 Most of us will do just about anything to
avoid uncertainty
 There is no such thing as a prefect decision
maker
 There is a big difference between a wrong
decision and a bad decision
 Outcomes you can not control, but process
you can
 There is no one archetypical decision
 Some of our decisions will outlast us

6. History of Decision Making
 Rational Decision Making
--characterized by written rules and
regulations; hierarchical control;
bureaucratic
 Participatory, Shared or Site Based
Decision Making -- consensual,
based on goals, values, and beliefs;
open communications; equal status;
based on professional expertise

7.  Strategic Decision Making Approach --
comprehensive; based on knowledge and
analysis of internal and external
environment; long range plan; extensive
involvement by participants; shared
philosophy and purpose
 Situational Decision Making -- recognizes
ambiguity and uncertainty; culture and
climate are important; ethical dilemmas often
present; decisions often more process than
goal based; effectiveness and efficiency are
important elements

8. Why is it important
that you be clear
about your
decision making?