DECISION-MAKING IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT COURSE

OBJECTIVE:

The course will empower professionals with:

• The ability to apply a decision-making framework and process
• Tools and techniques that can help project managers to drive strong and quick decisions
• An awareness of knowing which tool/technique to apply for the practical decision to be made
• Different styles of decision making and an awareness of which style is best suited for the specific situation
• Recognize how to spot and avoid common challenges when making decisions, which could lead to bad decisions
• Apply the process of Critical thinking to effective decision making
• Skills and techniques to reduce decision-making risk
• The knowledge to deal with ambiguity, and how to reduce risk and plan for contingencies.
• Ability to apply these learnings to enhance individual leadership development and organisational performance
• Opportunities to work hands-on on relevant case studies
• Develop the fine skills needed to effectively build critical thinking and decision-making skills

Content:

The Decision-Making Process & Critical Thinking

• Defining decision-making
• Defining the decision
• The importance of critical thinking
• Distinguish causes vs. consequences
• Break big problems into small ones

 Decision-Making Styles

• Choosing a decision-making style
• Autocratic decisions
• Participatory decisions
• Democratic decisions
• Consensus-based decisions

Identify the Real Problem

• Define the problem statement
• What’s causing the problem
• Ask focusing questions
• Assess urgency
• Gather essential information
• Asking the five whys
• The Kepner-Tregoe process
• Pareto analysis
• Look at the whole system

 Project Stakeholder Management

• Involving stakeholders in decisions
• Using a RACI matrix

 Decision-making models to generate possible solutions

• SWOT Analysis
• Maslow’s Pyramid
• Pareto Principle
• Brainstorming
• Mind maps
• Monte Carlo Simulation
• Decision Tree Analysis
• Multiple criteria
• Boosting your creativity

 Generating objective criteria & selecting the best solution for the project

• Intuition and logic
• Rating charts
• Risk analysis
• Team decisions/voting
• Group Decision-Making Process (Unanimity, Majority, Plurality, Dictatorship)
• Elimination
• Sensitivity
• Four simple rules for decision making
• Don’t settle for second best
• Considering implementation feasibility
• Considering cost implications

 Managing Ambiguity

• Accepting ambiguity
• Evaluating highly predictable outcomes
• Assessing distinct possible outcomes
• Considering a spectrum of outcomes
• Managing unpredictable outcomes

 Common Problems / Common pitfalls when making decisions

• Mistaking the symptom, for the problem
• Cultural differences
• Quality of data
• Accountability and transparency
• Biases
• Trust
• Errors in logic
• False assumptions
• Unreliable memories

 Key Ingredients for Good Decision-Making

• Give Yourself Enough Time
• Adequate, and accurate data for making decisions
• Get All the Facts
• Using the right tools
• Think of the Consequences
• Communicating effectively
• Seeking Other Opinions
• Being Flexible
• Applying critical thinking every day

 Making the Decision & Monitor the Results

• Determining who’s involved
• Making the call
• Defining your measures
• Monitor outcome
• Declaring success

Decision-making practical case-studies

• Acquisition
• System implementation
• Market expansion