7 Step Decision Model: from Identification to Implementation
7 Step Decision Model: from Identification to Implementation
1 Identify a problem or opportunity
- The first step in 7 step decision model is to recognise a problem or to see opportunities that may be worthwhile.
- Will it really make a difference to our customers?
- How worthwhile will it be to solve this problem or realise this opportunity?
2 Gather information
- What is relevant and what is not relevant to the decision?
- What do you need to know before you can make a decision, or that will help you make the right one?
- Who knows, who can help, who has the power and influence to make this happen (or to stop it)?
3 Analyze the situation
- What alternative courses of action may be available to you?
- What different interpretations of the data may be possible?
4 Develop options
- Generate several possible options.
- Be creative and positive.
- Ask “what if” questions.
- How would you like your situation to be?
5 Evaluate alternatives
- What criteria should you use to evaluate?
- Evaluate for feasibility, acceptability and desirability.
- Which alternative will best achieve your objectives?
6 Select a preferred alternative
- Explore the provisional preferred alternative for future possible adverse consequences.
- What problems might it create?
- What are the risks of making this decision?
7 Act on the decision
- Put a plan in place to implement the decision.
- Have you allocated resources to implement?
- Is the decision accepted and supported by colleagues?
- Are they committed to making the decision work?
Essential Steps in Decision Making: Evaluate and Learn
It’s useful to review how successful the decision has been, and the effectiveness of the decision making process. Monitor these by asking:
- How will you evaluate the success of the decision?
- How can you improve on the decision making process?
- What did you do well?
- What can be improved?
- What are you now able to do that you couldn’t, before implementing the decision?
More on the 7 step decision model in decision making
You’ll find more on these and other practical techniques in our e-guide: Making Better Decisions.
It’s packed with practical tools, clear processes, great tools, useful tips, thoughtful insights, and emerging ideas on “nudging” decisions.
Use the tools in this 7 step decision model guide to help your decision making:
- Tool 1: Do you need to make a decision?
- Tool 2: The POCA decision making model
- Tool 3: Decision levels
- Tool 4: 7 step decision making process
- Tool 5: Team decision making
- Tool 6: Evaluating alternatives
See for yourself how to use the 7 step decision model in decision making, to help you be a better manager.
