Follow the four steps to good, clear, aligned decisions
A systematic approach to decision-making for boards and teams isn’t rocket science, but it takes commitment and practice to get good at it. To make the best decision together, you need to get the right people involved in the process, and have them work effectively and efficiently.
Here’s our tried-and-tested 4-step method:
Step 1: Clarify the precise question
State what is actually to be decided so that it is clear to you (and others).
Example decisions could be: Do we hire this person in June? Do we launch this product or that one?
Step 2: Get targeted input
Break down the main question into (mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive) input questions to help the team fill gaps in knowledge. For example, “How will we motivate our people?” can be broken down into:
- What do we want our people to be motivated to achieve?
- What are they motivated by?
- How fulfilled are their motivators?
- Where are the gaps?
- Etc.
Then list out solution options (doing nothing is also an option!) and assess risk associated with solution options (consider doing a pre-mortem).
Step 3: Analyse and discuss
Be careful to set up the right team environment for different contributions to be heard, and be mindful that diversity of input is valuable.
Step 4: Capture the decision
How many conversations end with: “Let’s move on to the next agenda item”? while the decision hasn’t been made yet, let alone agreed upon.
Leave no room for interpretation or ambiguity. Beware of perceived consensus, which can lead decisions to be reopened or have participants express a lack of alignment later.
You’ve got the key information – now it’s time to create some real value with it.
We are here to help your team upskill in decision-making, transforming knowledge into targeted, meaningful results. Our tailored workshops will equip your team with the precise tools to make skillful, timely decisions, then communicate them powerfully.
Workshop enquiries email: info@horizon37.co.uk