Everyone has to make decisions in their everyday work. Many of these decisions are routine, and require little thought or analysis. Some decisions are unusual, complex, or have wide-ranging implications, and require a detailed and thorough approach.
This session will cover how we make decisions and introduce some decision-making techniques that can be used to select a course of action, once a number of possible options have been identified as a result of problem solving.
In particular, by completing this Power Hour Session delegates will be able to:
- Explain what a ‘decision’ is and how they make decisions on a daily basis
- Identify their natural decision making style, and when it is (and isn’t) useful
- Describe a number of decision making techniques
- Use at least one of these techniques.
To get a flavour of the core session, you can download our FREE Key Points Sheet and view the optional PowerPoint Slides in pdf format.
Decision Making - PDF Version
The 'core' session lasts for an hour, but the extended session can last for half a day. The outline is as follows:
- Introduction, objectives and icebreaker
- How we make decisions – Group exercise to make some decisions followed by a trainer-led discussion to explore the process of decision making
- the Neuroscience of Making Decisions – OPTIONAL trainer input and group discussions around how our brain makes decisions
- Decision Making Exercise - OPTIONAL activity to identify the different stages we go through when making decisions.
- Decision Making Style – Individual exercise and discussion around Vroom and Yetton's participative decision making model.
- Using Styles – OPTIONAL exercise to explore each of the styles and when each is useful (and when it isn't).
- Decision Making Techniques – Trainer input and discussion around 5 useful techniques: Cost/Benefit Analysis, Force Field Analysis, Plus/Minus /Interesting, Paired Comparisons, Risk Analysis
- Decision Making Practice – OPTIONAL section to explore these techniques in practice.
- Roles in Decision Making – OPTIONAL section to explore the RAPID model of decision making and the importance of role clarity
- Summary - Short group exercise to summarise key learning points
- Make it work at work – What people will do now to put the learning into practice