Problem Solving and Decision Making

The success of a manager often depends upon the ability to solve problems, make decisions and give clear direction. Whether these decisions are made while "thinking on your feet" or carefully weighed-up as part of a longer-term strategy, the ability both to think creatively and solve problems is crucial to the role of a manager. This book shows, however, that today's organizations work in new ways. No longer do managers tackle all problems in isolation - more often problems are solved and decisions made as a group activity. Also, managers today use increasingly sophisticated tools and techniques for decision-making. This study shows managers how to solve problems, but at the same time it helps them to understand, recognize and deal with the interpersonal difficulties that interfere with decision-making. The methods it utilizes include specific ways to: pinpoint the problem; record the data; better inform others; decide on the optimum solution; and evaluate the effect of a decision.