Decision MakingWhat is decision-making? Decision-making is a process that has been derived from reasoning. It is a process that uses such methods a brainstorming, benchmarking, mind mapping and flow-charts to reach a decision. Decision-making follows a series of 6-8 steps to identify, evaluate and solve a problem. It also includes a method to evaluate the final decision and measure the impact of that decision.Decision-making is central to human activity. Thus, we are all decision-makers. However, "good" decision-making starts with a consecutive, purposeful, strategic-thinking process. Decision-making can be applied to many of the problems we encounter on a day-to-day basis. However, we must ensure we are solving the main problem and not the symptoms or peripheral problems. That's why identifying the problem is one of the most important steps in the decision making process. Without problem definition you will be spinning your wheels trying to reach a decision.Decision-making is a process that you can use to reach a decision and make a plan. Having a plan in place helps reduce anxiety and gives you direction. It may be necessary to have an alternate plan in the event of change. Also, having a plan will allow you to identify strong and weak points as the plan is executed. This will allow for improvements on future projects.Decision-making is the critical key to the survival of an organization, more so in this present time where we see economic boundaries between country crumble and businesses become more complex, global and knowledge-driven. Managers need to ensure that their organizations are continuously innovated and improved in order to achieve and maintain a sustainable competitive edge. Managers realize that if their organizations are to survive in this dynamic and uncertain environment, they have to make decisions concerning new business opportunities, products, customers, suppliers, markets and technical developments. This clearly indicates that the most important managerial attribute is the ability to make the right decision. The outcomes of the decisions will be used as the benchmark to evaluate whether managers are successful or not. Therefore, the question that arises is how managers make decisions and whether they are rational or irrational.Technology on Work-Related StressComputing technology has reached nearly every corner of modern life. In its study and article "Technology Increases Workplace Stress, Tipping the Scales of Work-Life Balance" (2001), the Kensington Technology Group highlights the inevitably widespread and profound impact of technology in the workplace.The demands from electronic communications include the deluge of e-mail messages related and unrelated to work, voice mail, and a constant pressure to stay connected inside and outside of office hours. Technology provides employees, customers and entire organizations to disseminate information worldwide in real-time or near real-time. Technology and communication systems are often burdened with a volume of information that far exceeds the ability of organizations to manage it or employees to assess it. These stresses can lead to workers feeling pressured with too many demands on their time.These issues, in turn, affect the overall level of stress in an employee's personal life. Maintaining the balance between ever-increasing demands at work and the need for a well-rounded life outside of the office provides additional stress for nearly 54 percent of workers, according to the study. The pressures created by technology do more than add stress. More than 57 percent of workers surveyed report that the added stress from work affects quality time with their families "somewhat" or "a great deal" (2001).In closing technology's impact on workplace stress today is undeniable. Ever-accelerating innovations in technologies, as well as new generations of Americans accustomed to pervasive technology, may alleviate the stress caused by technology in the future. Regardless of any future impact, workplace stress will continue to require innovative solutions for organizations that seek to create a satisfying and motivating work environment.Gaining a better understanding of how problems can be solved and decisions made is essential to the critical thinking process. We should evaluate and challenge the thoughts and ideas that occur. Clearly, the more information the decision-maker has, the better the decision will be. One can not make responsible decisions until one has enough information.
