Your group can weigh a range of variables...
Once your group has generated alternatives to consider, it’s time to evaluate those alternatives and select one as the final decision. How to pick the best solution? Your group can weigh a range of variables as well as use one or more systematic methods for reaching a decision: the prioritization matrix, the trade-off technique, or the decision tree.
To evaluate the alternatives your group has generated, members can take stock of how well each alternative meets the objectives you established at the outset of the decision-making process.
Variable Questions to ask
Costs:
How much will this alternative cost?
Will it result in a cost savings now or over the long term?
Are there any hidden costs?
Are there likely to be additional costs down the road?
Does this alternative meet budget constraints?
Benefits:
What kind of profits will we realize with this alternative?
Will in increase the quality of the product?
Will customer satisfaction increase?
Intangibles:
Will our reputation improve if we implement this?
Will our customers and/or our employees be more loyal?
Time:
How long will it take to implement this alternative?
Could there be delays? What impact will they have?
Feasibility:
Can this alternative be implemented realistically?
Are there any obstacles that must be overcome?
Resources:
How many people are needed to implement this alternative?
Are they available?
What other projects will suffer if individuals focus on this option?
Risks:
What are the risks associated with this alternative?
Could this option result in loss of profits or competitive advantage?
How will competitors respond?
Ethics:
Is this alternative legal?
Is it in the bet interests of the customer, the employees and the
community where we operate?
Would I feel comfortable if other people knew about this alternative?
ACTION POINT: Evaluate alternatives by asking the questions above.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Generating Alternatives
This sense of fairness is critical for ensuring cooperation…
Throughout the decision-making process, it is essential that your team members feel that the process is fair. Specifically, they must believe that their ideas were acknowledged and considered, even if their suggestions were not ultimately adopted. This sense of fairness is critical for ensuring cooperation and buy-in when it comes time to implement the group’s decision.
Alternatives provide the choices you will need to make an informed decision. When you encourage team participation, facilitate creative conflict, and listen to ideas, you are likely to generate a full slate of options that will serve you well as you enter the next step in the decision-making process: evaluating the alternatives your group has generated.
ACTION POINT: Promote fair process when using a group to generate alternatives in the decision-making process.
Throughout the decision-making process, it is essential that your team members feel that the process is fair. Specifically, they must believe that their ideas were acknowledged and considered, even if their suggestions were not ultimately adopted. This sense of fairness is critical for ensuring cooperation and buy-in when it comes time to implement the group’s decision.
Alternatives provide the choices you will need to make an informed decision. When you encourage team participation, facilitate creative conflict, and listen to ideas, you are likely to generate a full slate of options that will serve you well as you enter the next step in the decision-making process: evaluating the alternatives your group has generated.
ACTION POINT: Promote fair process when using a group to generate alternatives in the decision-making process.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Generating Alternatives
Creative conflict is essential to the generation of alternatives, but it should never be personal or divisive.
Energize your team so that they will work hard to identify creative solutions. Creative conflict is essential to the generation of alternatives, but it should never be personal or divisive. Promote team participation during your brainstorming sessions by employing the following tactics:
Encourage open, candid dialogue by making it clear tat the outset that the final outcome is not predetermined and that everyone’s input will be valued.
Suggest that people try to think outside of their individual or departmental roles. They should focus on what’s best for the group, using all of the available information.
Provide closure at the end of every meeting by assigning tasks and deadlines so people are accountable for moving the process forward.
Recognize and thank people who share their ideas and viewpoints in a positive manner—especially those who are wiling to take the risk of challenging you.
Ask team members to play devil’s advocate by researching and making a case against the preferred proposal. Ask them to explain in detail why the preferred option should not be adopted.
ACTION POINT: Create an open atmosphere for the exchange of ideas.
Energize your team so that they will work hard to identify creative solutions. Creative conflict is essential to the generation of alternatives, but it should never be personal or divisive. Promote team participation during your brainstorming sessions by employing the following tactics:
Encourage open, candid dialogue by making it clear tat the outset that the final outcome is not predetermined and that everyone’s input will be valued.
Suggest that people try to think outside of their individual or departmental roles. They should focus on what’s best for the group, using all of the available information.
Provide closure at the end of every meeting by assigning tasks and deadlines so people are accountable for moving the process forward.
Recognize and thank people who share their ideas and viewpoints in a positive manner—especially those who are wiling to take the risk of challenging you.
Ask team members to play devil’s advocate by researching and making a case against the preferred proposal. Ask them to explain in detail why the preferred option should not be adopted.
ACTION POINT: Create an open atmosphere for the exchange of ideas.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Generating Alternatives
…focus on identifying as many alternatives as possible
Brainstorming is an effective way to generate different ideas and courses of action. Start with a blank flip chart page. At the start of the meeting, ask your team members to suggest any ideas that come into their heads. Or ask individuals to take a few minutes to develop their own lists of ideas to share publicly.
Either way, record the ideas but don’t discuss their merits at this point. Be especially careful not to allow criticism in the early stages. Instead, focus on identifying as many alternatives as possible. You can evaluate the ideas after you have a list of possibilities.
Before brainstorming, write the problem, issue, or question the group will brainstorm on a chalkboard or flip chart, where everyone can see it throughout the session. Get agreement that from everyone that the issue is stated correctly and precisely.
ACTION POINT: Use brainstorming to generate alternative solutions for specific issues.
Brainstorming is an effective way to generate different ideas and courses of action. Start with a blank flip chart page. At the start of the meeting, ask your team members to suggest any ideas that come into their heads. Or ask individuals to take a few minutes to develop their own lists of ideas to share publicly.
Either way, record the ideas but don’t discuss their merits at this point. Be especially careful not to allow criticism in the early stages. Instead, focus on identifying as many alternatives as possible. You can evaluate the ideas after you have a list of possibilities.
Before brainstorming, write the problem, issue, or question the group will brainstorm on a chalkboard or flip chart, where everyone can see it throughout the session. Get agreement that from everyone that the issue is stated correctly and precisely.
ACTION POINT: Use brainstorming to generate alternative solutions for specific issues.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
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