POM Class 11 - Problem Solving 2 and Decision Making

In today's class we delved deeper into Problem Solving and Decision matrix. But we started from a different perspective. We were asked what elements management constitutes of? The graph below will summarize this concept.

Management Styles

This gives us a matrix of the four different styles of management. They are:

1) Individual Decision Making and Individual Implementation - happens only in single person business.

2) Individual Decision Making and Team Implementation - very common in hierarchical organizations. 

3) Team Decision Making and Individual Implementation - rarely ever happens.

4) Team Decision Making and Team Implementation - very common in flat organizations.

This matrix helps us to understand WHERE the problems start from because problem are usually fundamentally linked to the management style.

There are four steps in the Problem Solving - Decision Making process:

Step 1: Situation Analysis. We need to do some valuing and we need to set priorities of what is urgent and what is important.

Step 2: Problem Analysis. This first needs information gathering from various sources both internal and external. Then we need to properly DEFINE the problem at hand.

Step 3: Solution Analysis.  First we need to GET IDEAS. This can be from brain storming sessions. Then we need to MAKE A DECISION. By nature, both these are contradictory. IDEA GETTING is an expanding or selection process while the DECISION MAKING process is a contracting or eliminating process. Usually we use the Dialectical Method to reach a decision.

Step 4: Implementation. This is extremely important. Without this then all the decision making is an utter waste of time. We need to get others involved as they are also stakeholders and we need to make a proper plan for implementation. 

More in my next post!!!