Effective Decision Making and Conflict Management Strategies

Decision Making Definition

Decision making is a process in which one chooses between two or more alternatives.

Administrative Decision Making Process

• Planning
• Organization
• Direction
• Control

The Decision Making Process

1. Identify and analyze the problem
2. Identify and weigh criteria
3. Develop alternatives
4. Select the best alternative

Decision Making Environments

Certainty

Decisions or alternatives are evaluated based on the chance of achieving a greater benefit.

Risk

Inadequate information is available to know the consequences; the outcome is not guaranteed.

Uncertainty

Deficient information prevents control; situations arise where you cannot assign probabilities to outcomes.

Change Management and Strategic Models

These models modify employee behavior to ensure the organization survives, grows, or adapts to internal changes.

Understanding Conflict

Conflict involves perceived incompatible differences that result in indifference or opposition.

Handling Conflict

Effective management requires understanding one's own style, assessing the parties involved, and evaluating options for resolution.

Origins of Conflict

Conflicts often stem from personal and structural differences, semantic misunderstandings, or communication gaps.

Stimulating Conflict

Managers can stimulate productive conflict by changing organizational culture through external hiring and communication strategies.

Types of Decisions

Scheduled Decisions

Repetitive, structured decisions governed by rules and procedures that save time and limit political interference.

Unscheduled Decisions

Decisions taken for infrequent problems that require a unique model or process for a solution.

Strategic Decisions

Decisions that define the future of the company, require significant resource commitment, and involve uncertain outcomes.

Renovating Decisions

Choices made through the discovery, identification, and diagnosis of unusual problems to develop new alternatives.