Steps of the decision-taking process

A decision is a choice of one alternative from a set 01 available alternatives. The decision-making process comprises the steps the decision maker takes to arrive at this choice. The process a manager user to make decision has a significant on the quality of those decisions. If managers use an organized and systematic process, the probability that their decisions will be sound.

The steps of the decision-making process are as follows.

1.identify an existing problem

2.List possible alternatives for solving the problem

3.select the most beneficial of these alternatives                       

4.implement the selected alternative

5.Gather feedback to find out if the implemented alternative is solving the

identified problem.

1.Identifying an existing problem

Decision taking is essentially a problem-solving process that involveseliminating barriers to organizational goal attainment. The first step in this elimination process is identifying the, problems or barriers and after that solve then. Chester Garrard had started that organizational problems are bought to the attention of managers mainly by the following means: 

a.Older issued by manager's supervisors.                                                      

b. Situations relayed to managers by their subordinates.                         

c.The normal activity of the managers themselves.

2.Listing alternative solutions

When a problem has been identified, managers should list the various possible solution. Very few organizational problems are solved in only one way. Managers must search out numerous available alternative solutions. Before searching solutions, managers should be aware of five limitations. Authority factors

Biological or human factors

Physical factors

Technological factors

Economic factors.

3.Selecting the most beneficial alternative

Decision makers can select the most beneficial solution only after they have evaluated each alternative very carefully. This evaluation should consist Of three steps.

first, decision maker should list accurately the potential effects of each alternative. 

second, they should assign a probability factor to each of the potential effects. Third, keeping organizational goals in mind. decision makers should compare each alternatives expected effects and the respective probabilities of those effects. After these steps have been completed, managers will know which alternative is best for the organization.

4.Implementing the chosen alternative

The next step is to put the chosen alternative into action. Decisions must be supported appropriate action if they arc to have a chance of success.

5.Gathering problem related feed back

Alter the chosen alternative has been implemented, decision makers must gather feedback to determine the effect of the implemented alternative on the identified problem. If the identified problem is not being solved, managers need to seek out.