The Issue

Start by thinking about a time when you made an important decision that had at least two alternative solutions and only one solution was selected.

1. Briefly define the problem or opportunity you are trying to resolve. Ensure the description has enough detail that the solution can be evaluated. In example, "I wanted to lose weight" is not as clear as "I wanted to lose 15 pounds by Christmas." Perhaps you didn't have something that specific in mind as you started, that's fine. Go with what you had.
2. State a decision you made and the alternative solution that you did not. Briefly explain at least one reason why you selected the one solution and not the other. (FYI: these reasons do not need to come from the text or videos.)

Influences on the Decision

Our text authors note that effective decision-making (DM) relies on both logic and emotions. In the required EQ video, Daniel Goleman provides more information on Emotional Intelligence. Answer the following three questions by referring to LO 2.2 and the required video on Emotional Intelligence (EQ).

3. Explain 2-3 ways one of the four aspects of EQ influenced your decision-making process. This response demonstrates a deeper knowledge of one aspect of EQ. Explain 1-2 ways another type of EQ could have contributed to (or detracted from) a successful decision. This response selects another aspect to explore a bit deeper.
4. Briefly explain 2-3 reasons why your decision was a non-programmed or programmed (i.e., high versus low involvement) decision. (LO 2.3) This response demonstrates how you apply the difference from non-programmed to programmed decision. Explain 1-2 ways this decision type influenced your approach to the decision.
5. Briefly explain 2-3 reasons why your decision involved the decision-making (DM) barrier of bounded rationality or uncertainty (LO 2.4) and how you addressed the barrier. (Hint: ideas might be found in LO 2.5; suggestions from videos are to be addressed in separate question belownot here.)

Comparing Decisions

6. Briefly explain at least one bad decision you made that is different from the one addressed previously. Explain 1-2 reasons why you did (or did not) engage in a different DM barrier from #4 (LO 2.4) such as escalation of commitment, time constraints, a specific personal bias, or a specific conflict.

Learning from past decisions

7. Now, refer to the decision-making (DM) techniques suggested in the two required DM videos (not the EQ video). Suggestions from videos include: (1) consider possible outcomes, two minute diversion, or think about decision in 3^rd person from a different point of view and/or (2) challenge the constraints, embrace a pre-mortem, or check the basics before making a decision. Explain how or why one of the above decisions could have been improved by 2-3 different suggestions from one or both of the decision-making videos