In your opinion, which step in the decision making process is the most important?

The first step because without the problem there's nothing to think about or decide.

Are there steps you consider excessive or extraneous in the process?

Yes, the 3rd step because why does money always become the determinate factor in every decision making process? When cost and benefits become factors in decision making it affects the decision making process.

In your own personal decision making, do you make use of these steps (intentionally or subconsciously)? Why or why not?

Both, I use both because some decisions are ones that need to be well thought out and some are spontaneous because when a decision needs to be made in an accident that may cost someone their life you plan right on the spot. But when you want to make a family, you plan meticulously because you know that there's a life youre planning to create.

When I answered this. My professor asked me this question:

Other than understanding the problem...what other step do you think is important?