Show A range of creative policy or management alternatives designed to address the objectives is developed. Alternatives should reflect substantially different approaches to the problem or different priorities across objectives, and should present decision makers with real options and choices. Good solutions are not possible without good alternatives. Yet we often move to a single solution, without truly exploring distinct and creative alternatives. Technical teams take on the task of delivering “recommendations” to decision makers. But often these recommendations encompass value judgments that are better made by decision makers. Usually, what decision makers need is good information about a small, carefully thought out set of alternatives – their consequences, key differences (trade-offs) in their consequences, and the response of key stakeholders with respect to these trade-offs. Generating good alternatives is a source of important insights both from a technical perspective and a values perspective. Most often, an alternative is not a single action, but a set of actions – a ‘portfolio’ , “strategy”, or ‘package’ of individual elements that together provide a comprehensive approach to the decision situation. In this section we explore:
Characteristics of good alternativesDeveloping good alternatives is an iterative task. Initially, the task is to generate a range of creative alternatives. These alternatives are carefully evaluated technically, in terms of their estimated consequences. They are also evaluated deliberatively, in terms of their relative desirability. New alternatives are generated, joint gains are found and the key trade-offs and uncertainties are highlighted. By the time alternatives are presented to decision makers, they should be:
Key Ideas
What is an alternative in decision making?Most often, an alternative is not a single action, but a set of actions – a 'portfolio' , “strategy”, or 'package' of individual elements that together provide a comprehensive approach to the decision situation.
What are the 5 steps in the decision making process?5 Steps to Good Decision Making. Step 1: Identify Your Goal. One of the most effective decision making strategies is to keep an eye on your goal. ... . Step 2: Gather Information for Weighing Your Options. ... . Step 3: Consider the Consequences. ... . Step 4: Make Your Decision. ... . Step 5: Evaluate Your Decision.. What are the steps of decision making?Decision making is the process of making choices by identifying a decision, gathering information, and assessing alternative resolutions.. Step 1: Identify the decision. ... . Step 2: Gather relevant information. ... . Step 3: Identify the alternatives. ... . Step 4: Weigh the evidence. ... . Step 5: Choose among alternatives.. How do you create alternative decision making?Brainstorming is a good technique for identifying alternatives. Making lists of possible combinations of actions can generate ideas that can be shaped into alternatives. Often this is best done with a small group of people with different perspectives, knowledge, and experience.
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