Problem Solving and Decision Making:

Decision making is the key to a manager's success. To be a good decision maker one needs to first understand the relationship between Problem Solving and Decision making. Decision making is just one step or part of problem solving.

Different steps in reaching a decision:

• Estimation Analysis
• Valuing
• Priority Setting
• Problem Analysis
• Information Gathering
• Problem Definition
• Situation Analysis
• Idea
• Decision Making
• Implementation

Decision making and Implementation can be done at either Individual level or team-wise. Thus if we draw a matrix we can get four combinations:

Of all the combinations one colored yellow is the most complex at it it involves complexities due to the involvement of the group in which different candidates may have different views regarding the problem. The one where both the decision and implementation is done by individual is an example of Craftsmanship. In Modern Management system all the decisions are made in groups.

Are problems tough?
Well i believe no problem is tough.Its the inability to find the root cause that makes the problem look tough.Once the root cause is realized or understood,the problem no longer remains tough.Hence emphasis should be made on finding the causes of the problem because once they are known, their solutions can be easily obtained.

Keep learning!! Keep thinking!!!