According to Bateman and Snell (2011) people should make decisions every day, some of

those decisions are easy to make, whereas others are quite difficult to implement. An
appropriately combined and organized decision-making process will help to control this issue
and bring a positive outcome for those involved. The decision-making process may become
challenging for people because of the lack of structure and entailed risk, uncertainty, and
conflict. That is why people trying to make important personal or professional decisions
should have an appropriate model to follow avoiding these challenges. Bateman identified six
stages of the decision-making process that may be attached to any problem or decision.

Stages of the Decision-Making Process

1. Identifying and Diagnosing the Problem

The first stage in the decision-making process is to recognize that a problem exists and must
be solved. The decision maker must dig in deeper and attempt to diagnose the situation.

2.Generating Alternative Solutions

The second stage of decision-making links problem diagnosis to the development of

alternative courses of action aimed at solving the problem. These solutions range from ready-
made to custom made.

3. Evaluating Alternatives

The third stage of decision-making involves determining the value or adequacy of the
alternatives generated or alternative courses of action which can be implemented depending
on how the future unfolds called a contingency plan

4. Making the Choice

The fourth stage of decision-making, once you have considered the possible consequences of
your options, is making your decision. As you make your decision, important concepts
include maximizing, satisficing, and optimizing.

5.Implementing the Decision

The fifth stage of decision-making involves following through with your decision. Adequate
planning requires several steps:
1.Determine how things will look when the decision is fully operational.

2.Chronologically order, perhaps with a flow diagram, the steps necessary to achieve a fully
operational decision.

3.List the resources and activities required to implement each step.

4.Estimate the time needed for each step.

5.Assign responsibility for each step to specific individuals.

Decision makers should presume that things will not go smoothly during implementation. It
is very useful to take a little extra time to identify potential problems and identify potential
opportunities associated with implementation. Then you can take actions to prevent problems
and also be ready to seize on unexpected opportunities. The following questions are useful:

1.What problems could this action cause?

2.What can we do to prevent the problems?

3.What unintended benefits or opportunities could arise?

4.How can we make sure they happen?

5.How can we be ready to act when the opportunities come?

Evaluating the Decision

The final stage in the decision-making process is evaluating the decision. Itinvolves collecting
information on how well the decision is working. Alwaysremember to be appropriately vigilant in making the
decision. Vigilance occurswhen the decision makers carefully and conscientiously execute all six stages
of decision making, including making provisions for implementation and evaluation(Bateman & Snell, 2011,
p. 90-95)

My Personal Decision-Making ProcessThe problem at hand was the necessity to rent an own
apartment. In 2010 I was livingwith my parents. The house was also shared with my sister
and her children, and it was too smallfor all six of us to share. I had realized after a short time
this living situation was not going towork out and that I should start looking for a place of my
own. Because I did not own anyfurniture finding an apartment that was fully furnished was a
necessity.Generating and evaluating alternative solutions (steps two and three in the
decisionmaking process) was not an option as I knew exactly what I would have to do if I were
to obtainthe right place to live. The only alternative solution in this situation would have been
to rent alarge two-bedroom apartment fully furnished so I would have a spare room for
guests and Iwould not have to purchase furniture.Step four in the decision making process is,
making the choice. I searched around forcheap fully furnished apartments and had finally
found one in Fayetteville. This leads me to stepfive involving me implementing my plan to fill
out necessary paperwork to rent the apartment My Personal Decision-Making ProcessThe
problem at hand was the necessity to rent an own apartment. In 2010 I was livingwith my
parents. The house was also shared with my sister and her children, and it was too smallfor all
six of us to share. I had realized after a short time this living situation was not going towork
out and that I should start looking for a place of my own. Because I did not own anyfurniture
finding an apartment that was fully furnished was a necessity.Generating and evaluating
alternative solutions (steps two and three in the decisionmaking process) was not an option
as I knew exactly what I would have to do if I were to obtainthe right place to live. The only
alternative solution in this situation would have been to rent alarge two-bedroom apartment
fully furnished so I would have a spare room for guests and Iwould not have to purchase
furniture.Step four in the decision making process is, making the choice. I searched around
forcheap fully furnished apartments and had finally found one in Fayetteville. This leads me to
stepfive involving me implementing my plan to fill out necessary paperwork to rent the
apartment

and get all of my utilities turned on. After one month in my new apartment, I proceeded with
thefinal step by balancing my checking account to plan for the monthly bills. I created a
monthlyspreadsheet and considered taking on a roommate to help with some of the utility
bills.If I had taken the time to go through all the decision-making steps properly I would
havedone things a little differently. I would have taken the time to consider all my solutions
andweigh every option. I would have considered possibly taking a roommate who has
furniture tohelp with the cost and find a cheaper unfurnished apartment. The next time I
decide to move Iplan to go through each step of the decision-making process carefully and
weigh all my optionsbefore making any quick decisions