3. Should You Ask?Should You Ask?
Sir, why is my
coursework marks so low?
I deserve higher marks.
Hehehe!
4. Which Mobile Phone should I buy?Which Mobile Phone should I buy?
What are the
things you
consider before
making a
decision?
5. What should I wear for class (or work) today?What should I wear for class (or work) today?
What are the
things you
consider before
making a
decision?
6. Module 6: Decision MakingModule 6: Decision Making
3. Decision
Making Process
4. Decision Making
Tools
1. What is
Decision Making? 2. Barriers to Good
Decision Making
7. "No sensible decision can be made any longer
without taking into account not only the world as
it is, but the world as it will be. . ."
- Isaac Asimov
8. 6.1 What is Decision Making?6.1 What is Decision Making?
Decision makingDecision making is the cognitive process leading to the
selection of a course of action among alternatives.
Every decision making process produces a final choicefinal choice. It
can be an actionaction or an opinionopinion.
It begins when we need to do something but we do not know
what. Therefore, decision making is a reasoning processreasoning process
which can be rational or irrational, and can be based on
explicit assumptions or tacit assumptions.
Examples:
Shopping, deciding what to eat, What to wear, when to
sleep, etc..
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decision_making
10. 6.2 Barriers to Good Decision Making6.2 Barriers to Good Decision Making
HastyHasty - Making quick decisions without having much thought.
NarrowNarrow - Decision making is based on very limited
information.
ScatteredScattered - Our thoughts in making decisions are
disconnected or disorganized.
FuzzyFuzzy - Sometimes, the lack of clarity on important aspects of
a decision causes us to overlook certain important
considerations.
For an explanation of the logical processes behind some of these barriers refer to
Module 4 (FallaciesFallacies) and Module 1 (Section - Barriers to Critical ThinkingBarriers to Critical Thinking).
For an explanation of the logical processes behind some of these barriers refer to
Module 4 (FallaciesFallacies) and Module 1 (Section - Barriers to Critical ThinkingBarriers to Critical Thinking).
11. “ Making good decisions is a crucial skill at
every level. ”
- Peter Drucker
12. 6.3 Decision Making Process6.3 Decision Making Process
StepsSteps TipsTips
1.1. Define the decision clearly.Define the decision clearly. A lot of decision making goes wrong at the starting
point.
the more specific your definition of the decision is to
made, the clearer will be your analysis and the
likelihood of success.
2.2. Consider all the possibleConsider all the possible
choices.choices.
Successful decision makers explore all of the
possible choices of the situation.
In fact many of the less obvious choices turn out to
be the most effective ones.
3.3. Gather all relevant informationGather all relevant information
and evaluate all the pros andand evaluate all the pros and
cons of each possible choice.cons of each possible choice.
In many cases, we may lack sufficient information to
make an informed decision.
Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each
choice
4.4. Select the choice that seems toSelect the choice that seems to
best meet the needs of thebest meet the needs of the
situation.situation.
Synthesize all what you learned in previous steps
and make a conclusion that you believe to be your
“best” choice.
5.5. Implement a plan of action andImplement a plan of action and
then monitor the results, makingthen monitor the results, making
necessary adjustments.necessary adjustments.
Once you have selected your best choice, you need
to develop and implement a specific and concrete plan
of action.
As you begin taking the steps in your plan, you will
discover that adjustments need to be made.
13. “Because I'm thinking in a broader way, I feel
like I am able to make better decisions.”
- Takafumi Horie
14. 6.4 Decision Making Tools6.4 Decision Making Tools
Tools to facilitate better decisions:Tools to facilitate better decisions:
CoRT (Module 2)CoRT (Module 2)
SWOT ANALYSIS (Next)SWOT ANALYSIS (Next)
SIX THINKING HATS (Module 7)SIX THINKING HATS (Module 7)
DECISION MATRIXDECISION MATRIX
FORCE FIELD ANALYSISFORCE FIELD ANALYSIS
ISHIKAWA DIAGRAMISHIKAWA DIAGRAM
MIND MAPPINGMIND MAPPING
SOCRATIC QUESTIONINGSOCRATIC QUESTIONING
MoreMore MyCotedMyCoted ++ Mind ToolsMind Tools ++ Creativity WebCreativity Web
I can studyI can study
these tools onthese tools on
my own. Click!my own. Click!
16. 6.4.1 SWOT Analysis6.4.1 SWOT Analysis
SWOTSWOT analysis is a great technique for identifying
your SStrengths and WWeaknesses and study any
OOpportunities and TThreats you face.
It is also a powerful strategic planning toolstrategic planning tool used to
evaluate a project or in a business venture or in any
other situation of an organization or individual
requiring a decision in pursuit of an objective.
It involves monitoring the marketing environment
internalinternal and externalexternal to the organization or
individual.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWOT_Analysis
17. 6.4.1 SWOT Analysis – Strategic Use6.4.1 SWOT Analysis – Strategic Use
Orienting SWOTs to An ObjectiveOrienting SWOTs to An Objective - If SWOT analysis does not start
with defining a desired end state or objective, it runs the risk of being
useless.
If a clear objective has been identified, SWOT analysis can be used to
help in the pursuit of that objective. In this case, SWOTs are:
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWOT_Analysis
SStrengthstrengths
Attributes of the organization
that are helpful to achieving the
objective.
WWeaknesseseaknesses
Attributes of the
organization that are harmful
to achieving the objective.
OOpportunitiespportunities
External conditions that are
helpful to achieving the
objective.
TThreatshreats
External conditions that are
harmful to achieving the
objective.
18. 6.4.1 SWOT Analysis – Creative Use6.4.1 SWOT Analysis – Creative Use
Creative Use of SWOTsCreative Use of SWOTs – If the objective seems
attainable, the SWOTs are used as inputs to the creative
generation of possible strategies, by asking (usually in
groups) and answering each of the following four questions,
many times:
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWOT_Analysis
SStrengthstrengths
How can we Use each
Strength?
WWeaknesseseaknesses
How can we Stop each
Weakness?
OOpportunitiespportunities
How can we Exploit each
Opportunity?
TThreatshreats
How can we Defend against
each Threat?
19. 6.4.1 SWOT Analysis – Internal and External6.4.1 SWOT Analysis – Internal and External
FactorsFactors
The aim of any SWOT analysis is to identify the key internal
and external factors that are important to achieving the
objective. SWOT analysis groups key pieces of information
into two main categories:
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWOT_Analysis
Internal FactorsInternal Factors
OrganizationOrganization
Internal FactorsInternal Factors
OrganizationOrganization
External FactorsExternal Factors
External EnvironmentExternal Environment
External FactorsExternal Factors
External EnvironmentExternal Environment
SStrengthstrengths
WWeaknesseseaknesses
OOpportunitiespportunities
TThreatshreats
20. 6.4.1 SWOT Analysis – Errors to Be Avoided6.4.1 SWOT Analysis – Errors to Be Avoided
Conducting a SWOT analysis before defining
and agreeing upon an objective (a desired end
state). SWOTs should not exist in the abstract.
They can exist only with reference to an
objective.
Opportunities external to the company are often
confused with strengths internal to the
company. They should be kept separate.
SWOTs are sometimes confused with possible
strategies. SWOTs are descriptions of
conditions, while possible strategies define
actions.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWOT_Analysis
21. Group ActivityGroup Activity
Break into groups of 4 – 6.
Identify a potential product/service to invest in (e.g. buying a car), or business
project/venture to pursue.
Do a SWOT analysis to identify the key internal and external factors that are
important to consider (refer to the template).
Assess the findings, and make a decision.
Example:
Imagine you want to assess whether to study at UNITAR or not. Do a SWOT
analysis, assess and then make a decision.
5 min5 min Identify a potential product/service/project/venture to invest or pursue.
15 min15 min Do a SWOT analysis, assess, and then make a decision.
5 min5 min Document your SWOT analysis findings in the template provided.
15 min15 min Group presentation & discussion.
The Group leader must submit their findings in hard-copy or soft-copy format to the
lecturer before or during the next class.
22. SummarySummary
6.1 What is Decision
Making?
Decision making is the cognitive process leading to the selection
of a course of action among alternatives.
6.2 Barriers to Good
Decision Making
Hasty, Narrow, Scattered and Fuzzy decision making.
6.3 Decision Making
Process
1. Define the decision clearly.
2. Consider all the possible choices.
3. Gather all relevant information and evaluate all the pros and
cons of each possible choice.
4. Select the choice that seems to best meet the needs of the
situation.
5. Implement a plan of action and then monitor the results,
making necessary adjustments.
6.4 Decision Making
Tools
CoRT
SWOT Analysis
Six Thinking Hats
Decision Matrix
Etc.
26. Contact DetailsContact Details
Zaid Ali AlsagoffZaid Ali Alsagoff
UNIVERSITI TUN ABDUL RAZAK
16-5, Jalan SS 6/12
47301 Kelana Jaya
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Malaysia
E-mail: zaid.alsagoff@gmail.com
Tel: 603-7627 7238
Fax: 603-7627 7246
Editor's Notes
The internal factors may be viewed as strengths or weaknesses depending upon their impact on the organization's objectives.
The external factors may include macroeconomic matters, technological change, legislation, and socio-cultural changes, as well as changes in the marketplace or competitive position. The results are often presented in the form of a matrix.
