A mind map summarizing a number of different approaches to decision making, prompted by a blog post musing over whether to trust the head or the heart in difficult decisions. These models indicate a balanced approach is best, taking both sides into account.

1. Factual: only one right answer
Simple Deterministic: only one answer, but correct formula must be used
Random: different answers are possible, all can be identified
Indeterminate: different answers are possible
Simple or complex? High degree of human activity, social diversity
see http://
pictureitsolved.com/pdf/ Cause and effect distant in time and/or space
ProblemSpectrum.pdf Complex
Low predictability Unfamiliar and unpredictable future
Problem type Situation changes as solutions are attempted
Quantifying and measuring attributes difficult
Accept that you made the best decision you could at the time
Emphasis on facts vs. judgment
Learn from it
"Hard" vs. "soft" systems
What I want Afterward
Flow = no conflict between... Degree of dynamic, generative, and social complexity
What has, is, or will happen
Solution approach needs to match problem type
"Tame" vs. "wicked" problems
Simpler problems may be solved by traditional research and analysis
More complex problems require a more holistic approach
Sensing = facts, data, content
Run through your preferred method
Taking in data
Intuiting = big picture, context, why
On the scene Myers-Briggs functions
Thinking = impersonal logic
Get input from others What is real, and
Who know you well and have how do we make Making a decision
your best interests at heart sense of it? Feeling = consider values, impact on people
In the moment
A = analyze (facts, logic)
Coin toss or otherwise
"Make" a decision and try it on: put yourself in that spot B = organize (safety, details, control)
How do you react?
What does your gut tell you? 4 quadrants
If there's time: sleep on it C = personalize (values, emotions, interpersonal)
Decision making: Ned
Herrmann
Head or Heart? D = strategize (intuitive, conceptual, big picture)
As usual in either/or questions, White = facts, data, information
the answer is both/and...
Red = emotion, intuition, feelings
MBTI Black = negative, pessimistic, critical
6 hats
HBDI Yellow = positive, optimistic, benefits
Edward
deBono
etc. Know yourself Green = creative, growth
Use your strengths, recognize your gaps Blue = process
Most useful North = facts, data
Try some and see what works for you Preparation
Easiest to remember and use East = logic, caution
Decision compass
Practice - so it's a learned skill you can call on easily when needed Approaches South = intuition, emotion
Mike Janke
Methods West = creativity, unconventional thinking
Track your decisions
Outcomes
Objective = facts & data, external reality
Reflective = internal relation to data: feelings, moods, memories
ORID: focused conversation
Interpretive = meaning, purpose, significance, story, values, options
Institute of Cultural Affairs
Decisional = resolution, implications, new directions
I notice = objective sense data
I feel = current feelings
Wheel of mindfulness I think = assumptions, thoughts, stories
Joel & Michelle Levey
I want = values, intentions, motivations, desires
I will = actions being considered
Use a systematic, balanced approach
Situation awareness
Gather all relevant data
Karen O. Bennett 2007
www.pictureitsolved.com What do these all have in common? External and internal factors (head and heart)
My synthesis Consider multiple options
From several people
From multiple perspectives
Or within oneself