10 Step Decision Making

With these 10 easy-to-follow steps, you'll be sure to leave no stone unturned while making decisions.

This method was inspired from Dr. Douglas R. May.

To successfully perform this method, you will need a something to write on.

Step 1 Identify Criteria

Gather the facts about the situation that needs to be solved.

Questions to ask:

Who is responsible?
What is responsible?
Where does this situation occur?
When did this situation start to happen?
How did this happens?
Why did this situation occur?

Before proceeding to the next step, collect as many data as possible.

Step 2 Construct description

Make a clear written description about the problem or task.

Write all your facts in a few sentences.

Avoid thinking of solutions until the next step.

A clear definition will act as a guide throughout your decision-making process.

Step 3 Identify the affected

Find out who & what is most affected by this situation and inform those who need to be.

There can be primary or secondary parties that are affected, also called direct and indirect parties.

Place yourself in the position of everyone affected.

Step 4 Identify the consequences

Write down the potential consequences of not solving the situation.

There will always be positive and negative consequences.

Questions to ask:

To what extent will the consequences affect everything else?
What's the probability of the consequence happening?
What are the possible long-term consequences?
What are the possible short-term consequences?
What are the symbolic consequences?

Step 5 Identify the obligations

Understand the obligations you and other people have toward the situation.

Thinking in terms of principles and rights.

Step 6 | Consider

Consider your character and the importance of integrity.

Questions to ask:
How would you react if your decision was a failure?
What would your environment consider to be a decision of integrity?
How would your decisions be remembered?
Which decisions would you make based on emotion?
Which decisions would you make based on logic?

Step 7 Think

Now is the time to do come up with solutions.

Have you noticed how often we skip all previous steps and start to think immediately about solutions.

You should understand by now;

Impulsive decisions often lead to false promises.

It's important to have a plan 'A' and 'B' but also a plan 'C'.

Thinking about more than one possible solution increases your options.

Step 8 | Inner Trust

Even though all previous steps imply a rational thinking process, it's always good to 'check your gut feeling'.

When you feel that something 'isn't right', it often tends to be.

Step 9 | Decide

Decide to take the best action and get prepared for every consequence.

Get ready for impact!

The saying: 'big trees fall hard', really fits here.

Consider what arguments you would use to justify your decision.

Step 10 | Check

After the decision has been made, regularly check the impact you have left on yourself and your environment.

Prevent the situation from happening again!