Analyzing the Decision Making and Problem Solving Processes

Analyzing the Decision Making and Problem Solving Processes

Stephanie King

BSAD320-H1WW

November 12, 2016

It is important to remember that decision making and problem solving are two different things.  Decision making is the process in which you select a choice from many options.  A person must weigh the positives and the negatives of each option.  Effective decision making is when a person is able to foresee the outcomes and then determine the best decision.  Problem solving is working through the details of a problem to arrive at a solution.  Largely used in mathematical equations, problem solving follows a steps.  

The most important steps in the decision making process are determining that a decision is needed, determining the importance of the decision, determining the possible choices, gather information about the choices, test the choices and implement the decision.  The book states that “Decisions are needed in order for things to happen in an orderly way” (Vaugh, 2007).  

Each step helps determine if the outcome of the decision is effective.  In the decision making process a few questions should be asked such as does a decision needed to be made, do I have the power to make the decision and do I or the decision maker have the correct information about the decision to be made (Vaugh, 2007).  Other important questions that should be asked when looking at the step in the process, determining the importance of the decision, what are the cost associated with the decision, how long will it take, and can the decision be changed.  Then your creative and research skills should come into play helping to determine possible choices, making the decision and then figuring out the best way to implement the decision.  

In the problem solving process there are ten steps but I will highlight a few key steps, state the facts, determine the real problem, list causes.  Then find the possible solutions, decide the best solution, test the solution and then implement.  The book states that “Problem solving, like planning, control and decision making, involves consistence specific and predictable steps” (Vaugh, 2007).

In the problem solving process the once you have determined the real problem you can begin to focus on the causes of the issues.  In the third step of the process this is the start of the first decision making cycle and the first time you will use the creative stages (Vaugh, 2007).  In the fourth stage you will use the analytical mode for the first time.  In step six the solver will again switch back to creative mode and this is also the second stage of the decision making cycle (Vaugh, 2007).  The sixth step is about being creative in finding a solution to the problem.  In the seventh step the problem solver will switch back to the analytical mode to evaluate the problem.  To finish finalize you have the best solution for the problem, test the solution and implement the solution.  The problem solving process makes the solver switch back and forth from being creative and analytical (Vaugh, 2007).