The unit will look at the different ways that decisions are taking by companies by exploring approaches to decision making, implementing decisions and the way in which knowledge can be used within organisations.
With the growth of IT and customisation, few decisions are straightforward enough for managers to rely on the answers that have been successful in past years. To remain competitive, organisations need to develop decision-making processes that use all the current information and knowledge available in the workplace, workforce and beyond.
Consequently, today’s decision making becomes more of a problem-solving process.
In addition, increasing workforce empowerment and expectation means that the decision-making process for competitive organisations needs to be a much more participative process. Otherwise, management will not gain the information and knowledge they need and will also lose the commitment required to ensure decisions taken become effective.
So, while the act of decision taking effectively remains with the manager responsible, the process of decision making needs to involve all the stakeholders within the managers’ immediate workplace and beyond. This ensures that the decision taken is owned by all whom have to work withit.
The unit aims to equip the learner with the means to manage the process of decision-making rather than the outcome or decision itself. By recognising methods of decision taking, the learner can stress the need for greater participation of stakeholders to ensure pro-activity and innovation.
On successful completion of this unit a learner will be able to:
| Learning Outcomes | Assessment Criteria |
| 1. Review relevant issues that are important to making business decisions |
1.1 Review several different business issues where decisions are needed and analyse stakeholder needs and expectations for each case |
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1.2 Research and review all relevant information and knowledge on the business issues where decisions are needed |
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| 2. Explore approaches to the decision- making process and how to improve approach |
2.1 Evaluate processes for obtaining relevant information on business issues for given organisations and identify where any strengths or weaknesses in approach exists |
| 2.2 Take decisions based upon information gained, provide justifications and say how the decision should be disseminated |
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2.3 Make recommendations for improvements to the decision making process and make sure there is relevant participation in the process |
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| 3. Recommend approaches to improve decision making | 3.1 Plan for, communicate and oversee new approaches to decision making |
| 3.2. Identify and develop measures to allow the effectiveness of the decision making process to be evaluated |
