The Decision Making Process: What Step is First?

Introduction

Making decisions can be a difficult task. Whether you’re deciding what career path to take or choosing which school to attend, it’s important to understand the decision making process so that you can make informed choices. The decision making process involves several steps, and it’s essential to know which one should come first. This article will explore the different steps of the decision making process and discuss which one should be addressed first.

Analyzing the Situation: Examining the Factors Involved in Making a Decision

The first step in the decision making process is to analyze the situation. This involves examining all the relevant factors that could influence your decision. According to psychologist Barry Schwartz, “Good decision making requires a mixture of skills: You must be able to gather and work with information, reason logically, and make choices among alternatives.” ¹ When evaluating a situation, it’s important to take into account both the short-term and long-term implications of each potential decision. Additionally, you should consider any external factors, such as other people’s opinions, that could affect the outcome.

Clarifying Goals and Objectives: Identifying What You Want to Achieve

Once you have identified all the relevant factors involved in making a decision, the next step is to clarify your goals and objectives. This involves understanding what you want to achieve by making a certain decision. According to clinical psychologist Dr. Steven Stosny, “It’s important to identify your core values and what you really want to accomplish in life.” ² Once you have established your goals, it’s necessary to assess the risks associated with each option. This will help you determine which course of action is most likely to lead to success.

Generating Alternatives: Coming Up With Possible Solutions

Once you have identified your goals, the next step is to generate potential solutions. This involves brainstorming ideas and exploring creative solutions. According to organizational psychologist Dr. Jennifer Newman, “Creativity is essential for problem solving. Brainstorming allows you to come up with innovative solutions that you might not have considered before.” ³ Brainstorming also helps you evaluate the feasibility of each option and determine which ones are most likely to succeed.

Evaluating Alternatives: Weighing Pros and Cons of Each Option

After generating potential solutions, it’s necessary to evaluate each one. This involves assessing the costs and benefits of each option and determining which one best meets your needs. According to organizational psychologist Dr. Robert Hogan, “Decision making involves weighing the pros and cons of each alternative and considering the likelihood of success.” ⁴ It’s important to establish criteria for evaluation and consider the impact of each choice on other people.

Making a Choice: Deciding Which Path to Take

Once you’ve evaluated the alternatives, it’s time to make a choice. This involves recognizing when you have enough information and trusting your instincts. According to cognitive psychologist Dr. David Myers, “When making a decision, it’s important to recognize when you have enough information and trust your gut instinct.” ⁵ It’s also important to acknowledge that not all decisions are easy and that some may require more thought than others.

Taking Action: Putting Your Decision Into Practice

The final step in the decision making process is to take action. This involves developing an action plan and implementing it. According to business consultant Peter Drucker, “Decision making is only half of the job; the other half is executing the decision.” ⁶ It’s important to adjust the plan as needed and be open to making changes if necessary.

Conclusion

Making decisions can be challenging, but understanding the decision making process can help. The process involves several steps, including analyzing the situation, clarifying goals, generating alternatives, evaluating alternatives, making a choice, and taking action. Of these steps, the first one is to analyze the situation. This involves examining all the relevant factors that could influence your decision and gaining insight into the situation. By following this process, you can make informed decisions that are best suited to your needs.