The Relationship among Decisions Using Decision-Making Models - Essay Example

Decision Making Models Decision making can be termed as a process that involves selecting an alternative course of action and results to getting what you want by using knowledge or what one can learn. Decisions are of a particular matter or an issue conclusions and judgments. Good decisions have the characteristics of quality, having clarity on the matter or issue being decided on, it is acceptable and flexible. The essay will assess relationship among decisions using decision making models. Values, ability and one self’s characteristics are essential in Improving decisions to be made and the skills needed. Value refers to what one visualizes significance in life that is, what is right or valuable in life. Values provides priorities setting base for deciding worthwhile actions and goals and less important ones and thus gives meaning to the life’s of people. By knowing the values of a family for example, the members of the family can decide on the goals, make the required and critical decisions and subsequently take the needed action which can meet the predetermined goals. Some differences and individual conflicts have to be resolved by establishing the best way while forming a basis for the family values using the individual values. A decision maker must be acquitted on the environment on which the decisions are being made. The environment comprises of opportunities, limitations and change possibility. Where there is presence of only one course of alternative, there can be no decision to be made. One possible alternative can not constitute a decision making process. In existence of limited choice, where one has a choice of selecting to undertake an action or to decline taking action, there is involvement of decision making in such a situation. Primarily, the decisions can concern personal or individuals while others can involve the community wholly or the society at large. The other decisions may engage group members. A group of members carry easily, acceptable decisions more efficiently if involved in the process of decision making. If there is suggestion of more available alternatives and options that are not productive as identified earlier, group decisions are always better. Decisions may be reached through dominance that is, submission where the situation is dominated by one person and others consent with the decision as it is made. This is however, given the name to as win-lose situation. A win-win situation can also be adopted through what is called conversions. Additional points of facts are brainstormed, presented, and the person persuades the others members of the group. Through integration, decisions can be reached through synthesis of the developed ideas which can be agreed upon and supported by everyone. They are many types of decisions which can be differentiated by their content. These types includes social and in other terms human decisions which involves goal setting and the various priorities that determine and influence the individuals general roles and the relationships of the group individuals. Decisions involving allocation of resources and distribution of these available resources among the various set goals are economic and in other term can be called allocation decisions. Another type of a decision is technical decisions which describes what, how, who, when, and why to accomplish a specific task and also regarding the efficient allocation of resources to attain a single goal. The other type of a decision relates to social economic and technical matters. They can be called coordination and interaction decisions because they deal with family communications and also the larger community and the kind of the needed information, while making other decisions, and way of motivating people to carry out their roles. Decisions are not dependent and also interrelated among each other. This makes the decision making process to be termed as dynamic. Decisions are often affected by and affects other decisions at appoint in time. There are models used to study decisions relationships and these are central and satellite decisions, chain decisions, T-grid decisions, and DECIDE decision model. Central and satellite decisions model It involves the major decisions to be made and the other choices that should be otherwise, made as a result of the major decisions. Central decisions are thus major decisions that have a big and significant influence and impact on the lifestyles and on a situation. Majority of the decisions that fall in this category are social and others are economic decisions. There is a connection between satellite decisions and central decisions. Satellite decisions can be referred to as follow up decisions that determine how central decisions are carried out and how the results of these decisions can be satisfying. An example of a satellite decision is that of purchasing a house. The decision to buy a house is the central decision but it has many satellite decisions that must be made. These satellite choices includes allocation of the specific house itself, the method to finance the house, how and when to move to the house, transportation, insurance cover revisions, among other decisions. Smaller satellite decisions may be needed by the specific satellite decisions. An example is whether the purchase of the house will make the family consider acquiring another ca, and if so there are a number of decisions among them the model of the car, whether new or old, how to finance the purchase, the insurance cove to be added, among others. These decisions will enable the family to make economical decisions which will help eliminate such risks as Finance risk and associated disadvantages. The decision to be made is to purchase a new house with the major factors being put into consideration. Chain Decision Model A decision may be influenced by a preceding one and would in turn also influence the next one. These decisions are seen and visualized as a chain reaction. An example of a chain decision is the decision on the size of the house and the furniture condition influencing the choices of furniture to be bought a new. These choices henceforth may affect and influence family activities and the changes in the old furniture in terms of their uses. The chain decisions can occur as part of the central satellite complex or can occur by themselves that is one decision leads to another decisions and thus illustrating the continuing nature of the process of decision making. The chain model usually fails to work because of its inability to put more consideration than its narrow focus on the events in the chain and also it has a nature that is linear. The final decision is to have the house and also buy the furniture that suits the conditions in existence. This decision may henceforth, lead to other decisions such as lifestyle, buying a new car or old car and also if financing using loan, paying of interest. DECIDE model When the process is lengthy and a bit complex, the decision plan is used. The decision involves the selection of the final strategy also the task involved and the decision making styles that are personal influences the final strategy. DECIDE model can, therefore, be applied since it is a many plans frame. DECIDE model involves defining the decision, estimating the resources, considering the alternatives, consequences of alternative courses of action visualization, action plan development and lastly, decision evaluation. An example of the DECIDE model is the consumer buying behaviour decision making on a product. The decision is needed to forecast future sales demand of the product under review. The alternative decisions to be considered includes desire for money, vanity, fear pride, health and comfort. The outcome of the decision will be considered in the terms of the cost involved. All alternatives are considered before narrowing down to one specific action on the consumer behaviour decisions. The decision made will have an impact on the profits of the organization producing the product, the standards of the living in the society and consequently, the Economy as a whole. Buyer involvement in the product and shopping will be an important decision to make in such a situation. Decision process is much complex with high financial risk, technical aspects, and other multiple influencing factors. Action plan to be implemented concerns identifying the purchasing decisions of the consumer that is likes and dislikes developed after evaluation of the outcome. The attitude towards the brand influences a decision as to buy or not. Evaluation of the outcome becomes important as it indicates the post dissonance which is as a result from dissatisfaction of the buyer when the items purchased does not measure up the expectations and also if there is need to seek reinforcement for the decision concerning the quality of the product to be produced by the organization. T-grid model T-grid model is usually put in use while planning of business strategy. The alternatives are usually selected on the basis of goals, the resources availability even if perceived, and the values of the decision maker. The rules followed are seeking the best outcome of the decision, using the time in the best way possible to gain maximum advantage and lastly keeping goals in mind in the entire decision making process.. The influences factors on the decisions are Age, knowledge, intelligence and wisdom. T-grid is a graphical representation of the alternative features or the points to be considered in making a decision in an orderly manner. The list of positives and negative attributes of a choice is listed and taking them in account. An example is considering the advantages and disadvantages of taking a decision to purchase a sport utility vehicle. Pros Cons visibility is good Mileage of gas that is poor The structure is safer Higher insurance Can take off road Maintenance is expensive Considering the need for utility maximization from the decision made so as to improve the choice made from the alternative is very essential. T-grid will help eliminate the risks exposed as the negative aspects of buying a sport utility vehicle and maximizing on the positives. (Chapter 5, Decision Making and Problem solving pp119-149) Conclusion In conclusion, to improve the ability as a decision maker, one need to be aware of the values, not being biased by getting the facts of the decision to be made, considering all the facts, avoiding rationalization and realizing that some decisions can not be reversed. Managers should make decisions that are action and resource guiding in a planned direction. Individuals and groups and families should make sound decisions which inturn take the appropriate actions. Work Cited: Chapter 5, Decision Making and Problem solving. pp119-149 Read More