For the final part of my Social Work training I chose to focus on the management option and this included learning about a number of tools for making good decisions.This was a good while ago but here are a few that I have used myself from time to time.You are bound to find one that helps with a decision you want to make!
SWOT
Draw a line down and across a sheet of paper to divide it into four.Put a heading in each as follows. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Now consider your options in the light of each.
Mind Mapping
I use this one a lot as its a great way to stimulate thinking. Write an option in the middle of the page with spokes coming out from the centre.Each spoke can represent benefits,consequences, supporting factors, hindering factors etc.There are no set rules. The idea is to broaden your thinking so write down whatever comes into your mind
Force Field Analysis
This tool provides a framework for looking at the factors (forces) that influence a situation.It looks at whether forces are driving you towards (helping forces) or blocking movement (hindering forces) your goal or situation. Draw a line across the centre of a page with spokes going up in a seli circle and down in a semi circle. Label the ones in the top half with factors that drive you forwards and the ones in the bottom half with the things holding you back. Give each one a priority rating of 1-5 regarding their strength so you can assess whether there are more/stronger factors driving you forward or holding you back with a decision
Balancing Options
This tool is designed for a situation where you have two contrasting options. For example to buy a new car or not
Make two columns on a sheet of paper and head each one Option 1 and Option 2. Make another heading underneath Advantages of Option 1 and Advantages of Option 2. Now list the two contrasting options and the advantages of each.Looking at what you have written, which option would be better for you to choose (consider the importance or weighting you attach to each advantage, as well as the number.Is there a third option which would combine some of the benefits of each option and be better than either of them? This might be a compromise or completely different option.
Finally trust your own judgment and apply good old common sense
Here's to your successful decision making!
'Life is a series of small decisions. Apart they seem unimportant but each one is significant because they contribute to the whole' (unknown)
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