Decision Making
Post-Decision Processes
Post-decision processes are the steps taken after a decision has been made to implement and follow through on the decision. These can include: * Implementation: Putting the decision into action, including assigning responsibilities and allocating resources. * Monitoring: Regularly observing and evaluating the decision and its implementation to ensure that it is on track and achieving desired outcomes. * Adjustment: Making changes or adjustments to the decision or its implementation if necessary to improve outcomes or address unexpected challenges. * Review: Reflecting on the decision-making process and outcome, to learn from the experience and identify areas for improvement in future decision-making.
Durable DecisionsRushabh details a process designed at Facebook to get decisions to stick. Even if you disagree with a decision, commit to it; but you can always re-open a decision if new inputs / circumstances have been discovered.
Handling Conflict with the “Disagree and Commit” and “New Information” PrinciplesDave covers two principles of disagreement: Amazon's famous "Disagree and Commit" principle for moving on from a disagreement, and the new information principle for when to revisit a decision after it has been made.
Technical Decision-Making
Empowering your engineering team with an effective decision-making processCate covers definitions for what does a good decision look like and a multi--step process for how to make decisions that includes: • Answer, what are you deciding (and why)? • Answer, what is the necessary context? • Foster discussion • Make and communicate the decision • Follow up on past decisions to see if they were successful
Hypothesis-driven developmentHypothesis-driven development is a scientific approach to problem solving that involves defining and stating hypotheses at the beginning of design, and measuring the success through a process of incremental, phased development. A good hypothesis is a statement about what you believe to be true today, and should contain neither the words 'if' nor 'then'. Predictions are used to define the smallest possible piece of work that could be built and produce a learning. This approach allows teams to stay focused on projects that will move their product to deliver their business goals, without over-investing in work that doesn't move the needle. It also encourages more-junior engineers to confidently throw out suggestions, as the discussion is focused on the simplest ways to test the hypotheses. This approach has been used successfully by product growth teams, but can be applied to different engineering problems.
Decision Making Cheat Sheet
Here is a quick reference for the top 4 things you need to know about Decision Making.
- Clarify the Decision You Need to Make
- Define the problem you need to solve or the opportunity you want to pursue.
- Identify the stakeholders involved and their perspectives.
- Determine the importance and urgency of the decision.
- Gather Information and Generate Options
- Research the topic and gather relevant data.
- Brainstorm a variety of potential solutions.
- Evaluate the pros and cons of each option.
- Make the Decision
- Choose the option that best aligns with your values and goals.
- Consider the impact of your decision on others.
- Trust your instincts and avoid overthinking.
- Communicate and Implement Your Decision
- Clearly communicate your decision to stakeholders.
- Develop an action plan to implement your decision.
- Monitor and evaluate the outcomes of your decision.
- Clarify the Decision You Need to Make
Frequently asked questions
How can I involve my team in the decision-making process?
Involving your team in the decision-making process can lead to better outcomes and increased buy-in. To do this, encourage open communication, solicit input from team members, and create a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are valued. You can also use tools like brainstorming sessions, focus groups, or surveys to gather feedback and ideas from your team.
How can I make decisions more efficiently without sacrificing quality?
To make decisions more efficiently, consider setting clear objectives and criteria for evaluating options, prioritizing decisions based on their impact and urgency, and using decision-making frameworks or tools to streamline the process. Additionally, trust your instincts and experience, and be prepared to make adjustments as new information becomes available.
How can I manage the risks associated with decision making?
Managing risks in decision making involves identifying potential risks, assessing their likelihood and impact, and developing strategies to mitigate or respond to them. This can include diversifying options, implementing contingency plans, and regularly monitoring and reviewing the outcomes of your decisions. It's also important to foster a culture of learning and adaptability within your organization to better respond to risks and challenges.
How can I measure the effectiveness of my decision-making process?
Measuring the effectiveness of your decision-making process can be done by evaluating the outcomes of your decisions against your objectives and criteria, gathering feedback from stakeholders, and reflecting on your own satisfaction with the process. Additionally, consider tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) related to your decisions, such as financial performance, employee engagement, or customer satisfaction, to assess the overall impact on your organization.
Decision-Making Frameworks
Decision-making frameworks are structured approaches or methods used to analyze and solve problems or make decisions. They provide a systematic way to weigh options and make informed choices, taking into account various factors such as goals, risks, benefits, and constraints.
Gokul's SPADE Toolkit: How to implement Square's famous decision-making frameworkGokul and the team at Square developed this framework to solve problems arising from consensus-based decision processes. The SPADE process covers the Setting for the decision, the People who take responsibility, approve, and consult, Alternatives, the Decision made, and an Explanation for it.
DACI: a decision-making frameworkDACI is a framework that can help you male effective and efficient group decisions. The acronym is used to describe the role of each team member in a meeting or project: • Driver: The one person who will be responsible for following a process to get the team to a decision. • Approver: The person(s) who has final say on the decision. • Contributor: The person(s) who have knowledge that will inform the decision-making process. • Informed: The person(s) affected by the decision who isn’t directly involved in making the decision.
How we make decisions at CoinbaseBrian shares a decision-making template from Coinbase that covers setting the parameters, how to deliberate, and how to decide.
A Leader’s Guide To Deciding: What, When, and How To DecideSteven explains how to make sure decision-making frameworks don't get in the way of velocity by making sure that a CEO or executive identifies whether they are an initiator, connector, amplifier, or editor of a decision.
Making data driven decisions in the matrixThe Rehmus Matrix is a decision-making framework that allocates a scarce resource, typically 100 points, across decision-making criteria to rank alternatives based on them. Greg gives examples using the matrix to decide between eating at Chipotle or Shake Shack and a startup board facing a decision about which funding offer to accept. By allocating points to criteria including cultural fit, brand, and ability to help with scaling, the board quickly came to a decision that everyone agreed on. The Rehmus Matrix can be used for everyday decisions or in more complex contexts to build consensus among competing interests.