Some decisions are difficult to make because the pros (benefits) and cons (costs or drawbacks) tend to counterbalance each other. This is especially true if you have strong personal, or subjective, feelings about one or more of the options. Let's learn about the technique Aladdin is using help him make his decision about new transportation.
The Process: Name the Decision. Then:
1. List Choices or Options
Write down your options or choices you are considering in the decision.
Choose three or four.
2. List Features
Once you have narrowed and listed your options, think about features or characteristics that are important to you in the decision.
3. Value Features
Make a decision about how important each feature is to you subjectively on a scale of 1-10. These ratings reflect your personal wishes, needs, or experiences.
4. Research and Rate
To make an informed decision, you have to add in objective information, that is, information based on facts. Where might you look to find such information?
Newspapers, professional journals, advertisements, television, consumer publications, dealers, interviews....
The numbers on the chart include both subjective and objective information. Now, by multiplying and adding, you can get a better picture of the decision you are trying to make.
5. Compute.
Multiply the value of each feature by the rating given that feature under each option. That is, multiply the subjective rating (feelings, wishes, experience) times the objective rating (based on research, facts, other data) that you gave to each feature under each option.
Then total the numbers under each option for each feature.
6. Make a Decision. Look at the numbers and how the subjective and objective information added up. The greater number is a clue to the most desirable decision!
Here is what you have learned:
1. List Choices or Options in the decision
2. List Features or characteristics important in the decision
