Decision-making is a crucial role of a manager in any organization. A decision is defined as making an option from several alternatives that will help a person solve a certain issue. Decision-making has a number of characteristics namely: it is based on rational thinking; it is a process of choosing the from among available alternatives; it requires rating or evaluation of available alternatives; it is aimed to accomplish goals in an organization; it is preceded by deliberations and discussions hence it is an end product; and calls for certain commitment.
Various decisions differ in significance and nature. Some decisions are carefully evaluated while others are routinely taken. Programmed decisions are arrived at with regards to routine and reoccurring issues that need structured solutions. Non-programmed decisions, on the other hand, are linked to problems that are unparalleled and non-repetitive. Other types of decisions are strategic and tactical decisions, and individual and group decisions. (The Intuitive Self - Author - Bill Taggart, 2016)
Decision-making has become a complicated issue. There are several techniques that range from guessing to the use of mathematical analyses, which are used in the process of making decisions. The choice of a suitable technique depends on the decision-maker’s judgment. The following are some of the general decision-making techniques used by managers: 1) intuition, which is characterized by a person’s inner feelings; 2) facts, which are regarded as the best element of making decisions and are generally sound and proper; 3) considered options, consideration and discussion involving many people can form a great basis for decision-making; 4) experience, a person’s past experience can become a great basis for taking decisions by managers; 5) linear programming, a technique used to establish the best use of inadequate resources for accomplishing certain objectives; 6) operations research, whereby systematic techniques based on data analysis substitute the traditional methods of decision making such as experience and use of institution. (The Intuitive Self - Author - Bill Taggart, 2016)
These techniques are very important as they help an organization’s manager achieve his goals and objectives. These decision-making techniques also ensure the company grow and the income of these managers increase. Managers are able to maintain effectiveness of a group by using these techniques of making decisions. Problems in areas like transportation, warehousing and production can be solved through linear programming. (Decision Making: Characteristics, Nature, Techniques and Other Details, 2015)
As a manager I would employ the following tools and techniques. Linear programming technique because it would allow me to solve production problems. Considered options technique, because I would like my staff to take part in discussing and arriving at a certain decisions. Last but not least, I would use facts as basis of my decision-making. This would allow me to make proper and reliable decisions.
References
Decision Making: Characteristics, Nature, Techniques and Other Details. (2015). YourArticleLibrary.com: The Next Generation Library. Retrieved 26 April 2016, from http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/management/decision-making-management/decision-making-characteristics-nature-techniques-and-other-details/53209/
The Intuitive Self - Author - Bill Taggart. (2016). The-intuitive-self.org. Retrieved 26 April 2016, from http://www.the-intuitive-self.org/scripts/frameit/author.cgi?/website/author/memoir/supplements/decision_techniques.html
