The challenge in making decisions is to determine which information is important, relevant, and reliable. Fortunately, good decisions are those that use reliable information, account for uncertainty, and are focused on achieving objectives. In addition to using good criteria, people should consider a wide range of information to make the best possible decision for themselves and their situation.
Graphing decisions
Graphing data is a powerful way to translate quantitative and qualitative data into takeaways and make better decisions. You can use several types of charts, including line, pie, and column graphs. Line graphs are especially effective when you need to compare values from many categories. Bar graphs, on the other hand, are more appropriate for long categories. For example, if you need to compare average monthly temperatures, a line graph is the best choice.
Graphs can present thousands of data points in a single chart. This allows your audience to get a more comprehensive view of the situation and create a story based on the data. In a recent article on strategic decision-making, Jeanne Moore explored the Cynefin Framework, a model that helps business leaders categorize issues and determine cause and effect.
Sharing decisions with others
Sharing decisions with others can strengthen the decision-making process for both sides. Having other people contribute to the decision-making process strengthens your ability to make good choices and reduces problems that may arise after a decision has been made. Sharing decisions with others can also help you make better business decisions.
Sharing decisions with others can also help establish a culture of caution and careful deliberation. It can help patients and physicians question the short-term and long-term value of interventions, as well as consider their costs and benefits. In addition, sustained collaborative deliberation with patients leads to social norms. These social norms can improve resource utilization.
Considering the greater good in decisions
The idea of the greater good first appeared in the writings of John Stuart Mill. He argued that the right course of action is the one that will maximize "utility" for society, which he defined as a society's capacity to experience pleasure and avoid pain. Noam Chomsky, Slavoj Zizek, and others have expanded on the concept in recent years. However, most of these earlier ideas are silent on the betterment of nonhuman beings and natural systems.
Using experts to make better decisions
There are a number of benefits to using experts to make decisions. For one thing, they can increase the reliability of judgments. Many experts are knowledgeable in several fields, enabling them to make the best decisions. They also have the benefit of being able to make better predictions and estimate unknown quantities. In addition, they can help reduce the risk of overlooking alternative solutions.
When you use experts to make decisions, make sure you select the right ones. They should share your values and work styles. In addition, they should have a high level of integrity. If they have not been doing their jobs well, they can't be trusted with your biggest decisions. You'll need to develop a relationship with your experts, and that requires clear communication and scheduled progress updates.
