Decision Making

Decision-making is the process of selecting one course of action from several alternative actions. It involves using what you know (or can learn) to get what you want.

To improve your decision-making skills, you need to know yourself, your values and your abilities. Values are your opinions about what is “right” or “good” or “valuable.” Your values reflect what you think is important in life. They are developed through experiences within the family, with friends, through church, school, and community organizations, and with the society at large.

The Decision-Making Process

The steps in the decision-making process are similar, regardless of whether the decision involves family and individual resource management, consumer purchases, or other situations requiring choices. These steps include:

• Recognize the problem or opportunity.
  
• Analyze the situation.
• Consider your goals.
• Look for alternatives.
• Consider the consequences.
  
• Select the best alternative.
  
• Act upon the decision.
• Accept the responsibility.
• Evaluate the results.
  

Decision-making is a dynamic process because decisions are often interrelated and interdependent. Decisions made at one time affect (and are affected by) other decisions.

Decision-making skill can be improved by study and practice. Avoid these mistakes which are often made by unskilled decision-makers:

• Not choosing an action because the possibility is not recognized;
  
• Choosing an action even though the possible outcome is unknown;
• Underestimating or overestimating the importance of certain information;
• Collecting information that cannot be used or is not necessary;
• Choosing a course of action on impulse, without considering the consequences;
  
• Neglecting to make a choice because not everything can be predicted with certainty.