Managerial decision making

Managerial decision making is the process of making decisions that involve the use of management skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking and analysis, to identify viable solutions to business-related issues. This includes various steps such as gathering and analyzing data, identifying options, evaluating risks and benefits, selecting a course of action, and implementing the decision. It also involves monitoring the outcomes of the decision and taking corrective action if needed. In project management, managerial decision making is essential for successful planning, execution, and control of a project.

Example of managerial decision making

• A manager needing to decide whether to invest in technology that could improve their department's efficiency might need to consider the costs, expected return on investment, the risks involved, and the potential impact on their employees.
• A manager needing to decide whether to hire a new employee might need to consider the cost of the hire, the skills needed to fill the role, the availability of qualified candidates, and the potential impact on existing employees.
• A manager needing to decide whether to outsource a particular project might need to consider the cost savings, quality of the work, timeline for completion, and the impact on their team's morale.
• A manager needing to decide whether to launch a new product might need to consider the costs of development, marketing, and distribution, the potential customer base, the competitive landscape, and the potential impact on existing products.
• A manager needing to decide whether to expand into a new market might need to consider the costs of setting up operations, the availability of qualified personnel, the competitive landscape, and the potential impact on existing markets.

Best practices of managerial decision making

1. Establish a Clear Problem Statement: Managerial decision making should start with a clearly stated problem or opportunity. It is important to clearly define the problem so that all stakeholders can understand the objectives of the decision and can provide meaningful input.
2. Gather and Analyze Appropriate Data: It is important to gather and analyze relevant data to inform the decision making process. This includes data from internal and external sources, including industry trends, customer feedback, financial projections, and competitive analysis.
3. Identify Potential Options and Solutions: Once the data is gathered and analyzed, potential solutions and options should be identified. This should include both short-term and long-term solutions, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each.
4. Evaluate Risk and Benefits: Once potential options have been identified, it is important to evaluate the risks and benefits associated with each option. This should include a thorough assessment of the risks and benefits in terms of cost, timeline, quality, and other factors.
5. Select a Course of Action: After assessing the risks and benefits of each option, a course of action should be selected. This should be based on the overall objective of the decision and the desired outcomes.
6. Monitor and Take Corrective Action as Needed: After implementing the decision, it is important to monitor the outcomes and take corrective action if necessary. This includes tracking progress and making adjustments as needed to ensure the desired outcomes are achieved.

When to use managerial decision making

Managerial decision making is used in a wide range of business applications, such as strategy development, financial management, risk management, resource allocation, project management, and personnel management.

• Strategy Development: Managerial decision making is used to evaluate the current state of the organization, identify opportunities and risks, and develop strategies to capitalize on opportunities and mitigate risks.
• Financial Management: Managerial decision making is used to create and manage budgets, develop and execute cost-saving initiatives, and make investment decisions.
• Risk Management: Managerial decision making is used to identify potential risks, develop strategies to mitigate risks, and manage existing risks.
• Resource Allocation: Managerial decision making is used to manage resources such as personnel, capital, and infrastructure to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively.
• Project Management: Managerial decision making is used to define project scope, develop project timelines, allocate resources, and manage tasks.
• Personnel Management: Managerial decision making is used to identify staffing needs, recruit and hire personnel, develop training programs, and evaluate performance.

Types of managerial decision making

Managerial decision making can take many forms and can be used to solve different types of problems. The following are some of the common types of managerial decision making:

• Structured Decisions: Structured decisions are those that involve well-defined procedures and processes. These decisions are usually routine and well-established, and involve little or no risk. Examples of structured decisions include setting operational budgets and selecting new suppliers.
• Unstructured Decisions: Unstructured decisions are those that involve less predictable scenarios, and are often more complex and require more creativity. Examples of unstructured decisions include launching new products and entering new markets.
• Strategic Decisions: Strategic decisions are those that have long-term implications and involve high-level decisions. Examples of strategic decisions include making major investments, setting corporate strategies, and closing down operations.
• Tactical Decisions: Tactical decisions are those that involve short-term strategies and require less extensive analysis. Examples of tactical decisions include selecting a marketing campaign and creating a project plan.
• Ethical Decisions: Ethical decisions are those that involve ethical considerations, such as the impact of the decision on society or the environment. Examples of ethical decisions include setting ethical standards for the company and deciding whether to use animal testing.

Steps of managerial decision making

Managerial decision making is a process that involves various steps in order to make informed and effective decisions. The following steps are typically used in managerial decision making:

• Identifying the problem or opportunity: The first step in the decision making process is to identify the issue or opportunity. This involves gathering data, analyzing the situation, and defining the problem or opportunity.
• Generating alternative solutions: After defining the problem, the next step is to develop a list of potential solutions. This involves brainstorming and researching potential options.
• Evaluating alternatives: After generating the list of potential solutions, the next step is to evaluate the options based on their potential risks and benefits. This includes assessing the feasibility of the options, their long-term effects, and any potential risks associated with them.
• Making a decision: After evaluating the available options, the next step is to select the best option. This involves weighing the pros and cons of each option and making a decision based on the most favorable outcome.
• Implementing the decision: Once a decision has been made, the next step is to implement it. This involves taking the necessary steps to put the decision into action.
• Monitoring and evaluating the results: The final step in managerial decision making is to monitor and evaluate the results of the decision. This involves assessing the success of the decision and taking corrective action if needed.

Advantages of managerial decision making

Managerial decision making is an important tool for decision makers in organizations. It is important for decision makers to weigh the pros and cons of all the options before making a decision. The advantages of managerial decision making include:

• Improved efficiency and productivity – Decision making helps to identify the most viable solutions to business-related issues, and this improves efficiency and productivity.
• Improved decision quality – By taking into account the risks and benefits of various options, managerial decision making can help to ensure that decisions are of the highest quality.
• Increased confidence – By making decisions based on facts, research and analysis, decision makers can feel more confident in their decisions.
• Better communication – Decision making can help to improve communication between stakeholders, as decisions are based on shared information.
• Reduced risks – By weighing the risks and benefits of various options, decision makers can reduce the risks associated with making a decision.
• Increased motivation – Decision making can help to increase motivation among employees, as they feel more involved in the decision-making process.

Limitations of managerial decision making

Managerial decision making is a vital process for successful business operations, but it also has a few limitations. These include:

• Time constraints: Managers often have to make decisions quickly, which can limit the amount of time available for gathering and analyzing data, considering options, and evaluating risks.
• Limited resources: Managers may not have the necessary resources, such as personnel, technology, and funds, to conduct a thorough analysis and make an informed decision.
• Biases: Managers may be influenced by their own biases and preferences, which can lead to decisions that are not in the best interest of the organization.
• Emotional involvement: Managers may be emotionally involved in the decision-making process, which can lead to decisions being based on personal feelings rather than facts.
• Lack of expertise: Managers may not have the expertise necessary to make the best decision, or they may not have access to experts who can provide the necessary advice.
• Group dynamics: When making decisions in a group setting, personalities and dynamics can affect the decision-making process. This can lead to decisions being made based on the opinions of the majority, rather than on logic and facts.

Managerial decision making — recommended articles

Business case development — Project business case — Lack of information — Importance of strategic management — Advisory service — Strategic decision making — Organizational change management — Implementation of change — Portfolio management processes

References

• Rowe, A. J., Boulgarides, J. D., & McGrath, M. R. (1984). Managerial decision making. Chicago: Science Research Associates.
• Bazerman, M. H., & Moore, D. A. (2012). Judgment in managerial decision making. John Wiley & Sons.