Rational Decision Making Process

RATIONAL DECISION MAKING MODEL

The Rational Decision Making Model is a model which emerges from Organizational Behavior. The process is one that is logical and follows the orderly path from problem identification through solution. It provides a structured and sequenced approach to decision making. Using such an approach can help to ensure discipline and consistency is built into your decision making process.

The Six-Step Rational Decision-Making Model

            Define the problem.

            Identify decision criteria

            Weight the criteria

            Generate alternatives

            Rate each alternative on each criterion

            Compute the optimal decision

1) Defining the problem

This is the initial step of the rational decision making process. First the problem is identied and then defined to get a clear view of the situation.

2) Identify decision criteria

Once a decision maker has defined the problem, he or she needs to identify the decision criteria that will be important in solving the problem. In this step, the decision maker is determining what’s relevant in making the decision.

This step brings the decision maker’s interests, values, and personal preferences into the process.

Identifying criteria is important because what one person thinks is relevant, another may not. Also keep in mind that any factors not identified in this step are considered as irrelevant to the decision maker.

3) Weight the criteria

The decision-maker weights the previously identified criteria in order to give them correct priority

in the decision.

4) Generate alternatives

The decision maker generates possible alternatives that could succeed in resolving the problem. No attempt is made in this step to appraise these alternatives, only to list them.

5) Rate each alternative on each criterion

The decision maker must critically analyze and evaluate each one. The strengths and weakness of each alternative become evident as they compared with the criteria and weights established in second and third steps.

6) Compute the optimal decision

Evaluating each alternative against the weighted criteria and selecting the alternative with the highest total score.