Decision-Making Models Essay

Most of us have to make decisions from the time we wake up until the time we go to bed at night. Answering questions like what should I eat for breakfast, can I make that yellow light and should I go to the gym or go out for pizza all require us to make a choice or a decision (Robbins, S.P., Judge, T.A., 2009). At work I am challenged with collaborating with managers and other leaders to make decisions based on scenarios and events that occur in the hospital.

Critical thinking has an important role in learning and development because if properly executed it allows me to see the entire situation instead of the individual task. I plan to take the necessary actions to determine the task with open eyes and an unbiased approach. Remembering the facts about the situation can help in resolving the issue. Understanding by reiterating the problem can help me further comprehend. Applying then analyzing the tasks and or situations so I can prepare the steps to come to the evaluation. I can see if the resources are accurate and thorough. The last thing I should be able to do to assure my critical thinking skills are complete is a form of creating. I take all the information of this situation, and use it in my final resolution. These steps are crucial in the ability to think clearly and not be clouded by biased information.

Decision making is defined as "the cognitive process leading to the selection of a course of action among alternatives" (Decision Making, 2006, para. 1). Decisions are made continually throughout our day.

The method of ethical decision making which was developed by Dr. Cathryn A. Baird presented two components contained in all ethical decisions which are; The Four ethical Lenses and the 4+1 Decision process. The Four Ethical Lenses issue claims that different ethical theories and the means in which we tend to approach the situations which form part of our ethical traditions are looked at in four different perspectives. From each perspective there are different values on which to decide whether the action taken is either ethical or not and each lens also lays emphasis on determining whether the decision made is of ethical requirement. In the 4+1 Decision Process, people who are responsible for making final decisions in an organization do it

Decision-making concerning staffing and work performance are part of the healthcare mid-level and front-line managers’ job functions. The following scenario will reveal a healthcare manager deciding to use the option of procrastination which is exercising the no-decision option. Liebler and McConnell (2008) argues, “Whether by conscious act or unconscious act (genuinely forgetting), the effect of the no-decision option is to decide not to decide…and often it is the decision of the most potentially serious and far-reaching consequences”(167). The healthcare manager must avoid the no-decision option in this scenario because there is a lack of considering the alternatives in the decision-making process. Also, the healthcare manager allows a platform for negligence and liability in selecting the no- decision option.

Making sound ethical decisions require an intentional process that utilizes thoughtful reflection, supervision/consultation, and action. Many ethical decision making models exist and the seven-step model introduced by Forester-Miller and Davis (1996) is a succinct amalgamation of these earlier models. The model by Forester-Miller and Davis (1996) follows seven progressive steps: (a) identify the problem, (b) apply the ACA Code of Ethics (2014), (c) determine the nature and dimensions of the dilemma, (d) generate potential courses of action, (e) consider the potential consequences of all options and determine a course of action, (f) evaluate the selected course of action, and (g) implement the course of action.

In the D.A.R.E. program, there is a model called the Decision-Making Model it is D.A.R.E, Define Assess Respond Evaluate. First Define, describe what the problem, challenge or opportunity is., A stands

Decision Making Model, D.A.R.E. being an acronym. The first letter, D, stands for define; figure out the problem, and what’s wrong. The second letter, A, stands for assess; Figure out your options and choices. The third letter, R, is for respond; Which choice are you going to make? Finally, the fourth letter is E; evaluate, and decide whether you made the right choice. If so, good job. If not, go back a few steps. All of this has helped me so many times, mostly when I knew I had to make a big decision that would impact me greatly later on. More specifically, should I hang out with my best friend this weekend or work on my project? I decided to work on my project, opposed to hanging out with her and goofing off. I know now that I made the right choice because I ended up getting a good

In addition, the third model is satisfying solutions. In this model, there are six steps to define and rate criteria and alternatives (Gary, 1997). These steps need to be followed when one is making a decision based on criteria. The first step is to define the problem by “diagnosing the problem in terms of its symptoms” (Gary, 1997). Secondly, the criteria must be identified. After the criterion has been identified, it must be assigned a numerical value based on its importance. Thence, alternatives should be generated, alternatives rated upon each criterion, and the values summed and weighed (Gary, 1997). This model is best used when an organization must make major decisions. For example, when an

Bassham, G., Irwin, W., Nardone, H., & Wallace, J. (2002). Critical Thinking. [University of Phoenix Custom Edition e-text]. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies Publishing. Retrieved August 25, 2004 from University of Phoenix, Resource, MGT/350–Critical Thinking: Strategies in Decision Making Web site: https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/resource/resource.asp

Decisions! Decisions! Decisions! How do you make decisions? Have you ever asked yourself, “How did I make that decision?” Whether big or small, important or not so important, decision making is a process. Some people way the pros and cons while others may just flip a coin. Are decisions based on feelings, outcomes or information? Often times if we just go with our gut feeling will be miss out on important information that should be included in our decision.

The process of critical thinking requires you to ask more questions of both others and of yourself before a decision or determination is made. In order to successfully evaluate data in a critical manner, you must have a system in place to assess information as it is presented. In any situation whether you are having a conversation, observing others, or material you have read, you must be ready to probe deeper and ask the right question at the right time.

First step in decision making process is identifying the problems. As McShane and Von Glinow (2000) stated, a problem can be

Decision making can be described as a process of making a decision or decisions, based on choices made amongst two or more competing course of actions. The ‘Decision making’ also requires making a define choice between two or more alternatives course of actions that are available.

Many times when faced with a hard decision to make or one that involves many different factors or consequences the executive tends to look for “an educated guess” or “take a calculated risk” but no real calculation is done nor any education is obtained to deal with uncertainty concerning the decision.