Decision Making Typology Report: Coursework Analysis

This report, structured as a personal learning portfolio, delves into various aspects of decision-making within a leadership context. It begins by examining Simon's decision-making model, using a personal experience as a case study to illustrate its application. The report then shifts focus to employee motivation, analyzing the challenges of a demotivated workforce and proposing solutions through mapping tools and alternative approaches. Group decision-making is explored next, highlighting the complexities of reaching consensus within a team, along with the use of SWOT analysis and T-charts to aid in the process. Finally, the report addresses workplace conflict, proposing the Soft System Methodology as a means to resolve disputes and improve organizational harmony. The report integrates further reading, personal reflection, and analysis to provide a comprehensive understanding of decision-making in leadership and management.

Running head: DECISION MAKING TYPOLOGY
DECISION MAKING TYPOLOGY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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DECISION MAKING TYPOLOGY
Executive Summary
The report aims to divide the report into four segments where different problems are
approached in different tasks. The respective four tasks are presented here to scrutinize the
problem in decision making and how the problems can be resolved is mentioned.

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Table of Contents
Task 1.........................................................................................................................................3
Task 2.........................................................................................................................................3
Task 3.........................................................................................................................................3
Task 4.........................................................................................................................................3
References..................................................................................................................................3

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Task 1
The model on decision making by Simon deals with four stages including the phase of
intelligence where one needs to examine the situation that needs to be addressed and seeks
decision. In this stage the problem or the situation regarding which the decision will be taken
is identified and all sort of information associated with the problem are collected to set a goal
and assess criteria (Köksalan, Wallenius and Zionts 2013). In the next phase called the design
phase the several progress of action are analyzed on the chosen situation which needs
attention. The considered evaluation now helps to choose better combination of applicable
alternatives. The choice phase enables one to find out the best substitute. In the last phase
named as monitor phase or implementation phase the execution of exercising the choice is
designed ( Li, Ashkanasy and Ahlstrom 2014).
I was provided with the opportunity of pursuing with the course of masters in
Comparative Literature in a foreign university but neither my family was in a state to afford
the tuition fee nor my parents were in a good physical state to allow me to leave my
hometown and move somewhere else to continue with my study. Here, the situation needed
to be addressed and a decision was required to be made. Moving forward with my course in
foreign country was important but leaving my sick parents behind was never an option. Now
I knew my situation which I needed to analyze it on the basis of Simon’s model of decision
making (Payzan-LeNestour et al. 2013).
As I have successfully found out what situation I have to deal with I moved onto
gathering information about the course and to cope up with the financial condition of my
family I looked for different opportunities for securing scholarship. According to the decision
making model I located my problem first and then tried to find gathering different
information related to the course fee, esteemed the probable expenditure for a standard

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lifestyle and look for other option. I also researched how I could get the hold of scholarship to
cut down the expense of my own. Again I have to assure that my parents will be safe even
after my departure and they will be taken care of completely. It is impossible to find a
replacement who would take care of my parents the same way I would have. Although I have
applied for the scholarship tests yet the alternative choice of bringing in some nursing
assistance to help my parents does not seem to be very feasible. I cannot afford to leave the
responsibility of my parents on any stranger.
The choice phase suggests picking out the best alternative where I landed up finding
none who could take care of my parents in a desirable way. Rather it was not possible for me
to secure the entire scholarship to have adjusted my expenditure (Taylor 2013). This brought
a breakdown of the model because the choice of the best alternative could not help me
anyway and I had to terminate the idea of accepting the opportunity and settle down here in
my hometown for my higher study.
The model can be used further but in my case it did not work in a positive way but if
some other alternatives can be taken into consideration then I believe this model can be really
helpful.
Task 2
In an organization it is important for the employees to stay motivated throughout the
course of action to produce more and work efficiently. Therefore if there is lack of effort
from the end of the authority to motivate the employees it can turn out to be a big issue that
definitely needs immediate attention to be resolved. The problem that is emphasized here is
the lack of motivation which is leading the employees not to work in an efficient manner,
getting involved in frequent internal dispute and eventually leaving the company. This is an
issue where a company is threatened to lose its greatest factor that is the manual labor.

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Therefore it is really important at this stage to find out some ways and take some initiative to
motivate the workers in a desirable manner to increase the production of the company.
Mapping is a graphical representation where with the help of visual patterns and
logical diagrams a problem is demonstrated and gradually arrived at a decision through
different stages (Yu et al. 2016). Here with the mapping tool the problem and some
alternative approaches are located.
Step: 1
Lack of
Employee
Motivation
Improvement
in the Leave
Policy
Opportunity
for
promotion
Rise in salary,
Incentives,
Rewards

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Step: 2
The problem of lack of motivation in workers is a serious problem in any organization
where through the help of the mapping tool the alternative approaches have been identified
such as increase in salary helps the workers to get interested in working more and coming to
the office regularly to gain the incentives and lucrative rewards. It would increase the rate of
production and save the face of the organization in the market. The alteration in the leave
policy ensures the workers more number of holidays which in a way can affect the production
as well (Wahl and Thompson 2013). Again the assurance of promotion stirs the completion
among the workers costing the quality of the work.
The problems that might occur are assessing the quality of works of the employee
even when the production rate is high but the quality is falling. If all the workers are showing
Pros and Cons
for each
solution
Leaves enable the worker
to choose on preferable
day accordingly
Highly motivated, rise
in performance rate,
increase in
competition
Promotion is very
engaging but it
lessens the quality
of work

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progress similarly then it is difficult for the organization to decide whom to promote or whom
to provide the incentives with. There might be rise in the unhealthy competition among the
workers which can eventually lead to some big trouble for the company (Helleno et al. 2015).
Leave policy revision in the same way can reduce the number of working days affecting the
production. The alternative choices might have the possibility of solving the problem but it
does not surely eradicate the issue.
In order to solve the problem regarding the lack of motivation in the workers along
with this three solutions many other aspects can be added. Participation in various events
together can erase the distance between the workers (Romiszowski 2016). Different teams
can be formed to encourage their working capacity. Some sort of entertaining aspects should
be taken into consideration to keep them motivated.
Task 3
Group decision making is a way more difficult job then making decision for an
individual. An individual while making the decision does not really have to bother bout the
situation of others rather he has to consider his case and assess his situation and take decision
accordingly. But in a group decision, making the situation or the problem is collective and
not guarded by a distinct dilemma. The group members in a combined form face one or more
than one common issues that need to be taken care of (Saaty and Peniwati 2013). The main
motive behind group decision making is to come down at an agreeable point unanimously.
Every problem must be located and discussed with utmost and equal importance. The
problems must be relevant and efficient for each of the group members and during the time of
decision making all the members should be given same significance to place their opinions.
The opinions are then critically analyzed and deeply penetrated to comprehend what are the
problems that can pop up further (RodríGuez, MartıNez and Herrera 2013). The members in

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the group should be equally responsible, pragmatic and attentive enough to take decision
which will not only benefit the individuals of the group but also bring advantage for the
company.
The problem that occurs in group decision is the difference in opinions, different work
ethics and different approaches towards the work. The primary concern of the decision has to
be a point where everyone has to agree and it should be for the betterment for the
organization. But it is impossible for a group to settle down at a decision which will be
unanimously accepted (Mardani, Jusoh and Zavadskas 2015). This is very disappointing and
saddening that working in the same organization, the motive is not the same. This is really a
troublesome situation to deal with. It breaks the confidence of the group and unity is also
affected.
The alternative method or technology for decision making that can be applied is a
SWOT analysis which is nothing but the scrutiny of the strength, weakness, threat and
opportunity of the group and the individuals as well. The analysis of the strength and
weakness helps to know the individuals better and the opportunity makes the group
understand that how the improvement can be done (Thuraisingham 2014). The advantages
and disadvantages can be critically examined to give back up to. This can be well executed
by the application of the T-chart. On the left hand side the pros of the organization and the
choices are written down and on the right hand side the cons or the disadvantages of the
choices are recorded. In this way the group has the positive and negative side of the choices
that would help the group to take a transparent decision. Again before launching any new
service or product the Feasibility Theory can be applied where a new project is set in front of
the group members and the result whether positive or negative is awaited. It helps in
understanding whether profit is approaching the company or not. It rather helps the company
to organize its profit and anticipate it accordingly.

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Task 4
In an organization or in a work place the conflict between employees of different level
is a very common issue. The problem chosen here is the continual and increasing conflict due
to either minor or major issue is taken into consideration and a number of people concerning
the problem have been chosen in order to resolve the issue. There are many methods and
strategies that can be implemented regarding this issue which can be beneficial for both the
company as well as the employees personally.
The method which can be helpful in making a good decision can be Soft System
Methodology where the problem is chosen and identified and then a decision making model
is taken into consideration and finally the real situation is contrasted with the model and the
desirable change is brought. Here in this case, the problem of conflict can be solved by this
method where the problem has already been located and the next step will be to justify it with
any model of decision making (Checkland 2013). In this model the requirement would
suggest to choose an alternative choice to move forward with. The problem of conflict can be
solved by settling down with the demands of the employee as a whole and giving them free
space to come up with their problems openly and freely without any hesitation. According to
this methodology this problem is justified with Simon’s model of decision making hence the
alternative is chosen and seen whether by meeting the demands of the employees and
listening to their opinion can solve the matter or not (Kaner 2014). Although this method
seems to be very promising it has got no certainty. It is not sure that whether this method can
solve the problem and meet the requirement or not.
Brainstorming is another method of making decision. Here in this method the group
has to be equipped with a large number of people where all the participants will have the
same and equal opportunity to speak up and voice their opinions. This method is involving
and engaging which basically can easily eradicate the problem of conflict. Since the problem

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of conflict is the main concern here a group discussion or a session of brainstorming can
solve the issue where all the participants will be provided with equal opportunity to vice their
relevant demands and concerns regarding the issue (Suriya and Mudgal 2013). Hence the
problem can be approached as well as through the process of implementing the method this
particular problem can be solved. This is a method of discussion where everyone has to
participate but there can be a problem that all the participants must not be in a state where
they cannot voice their opinions like other people. Thus their voice is suppressed and due to
the lack of their outspoken nature their demands are not even addressed. There are many
other strategies that can be taken into consideration which includes finding out the problem
which is already done here and applying these methods the goal can be easily achievable.
Although there are possibilities to resolve the problem of conflict, there must be some
difficulties in the methods associated with it (Raikov and Panfilov 2013).

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References
Checkland, P., 2013. Soft systems methodology. Encyclopedia of operations research and
management science, pp.1430-1436.
Helleno, A.L., Pimentel, C.A., Ferro, R., Santos, P.F., Oliveira, M.C. and Simon, A.T., 2015.
Integrating value stream mapping and discrete events simulation as decision making tools in
operation management. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing
Technology, 80(5-8), pp.1059-1066.
Kaner, S., 2014. Facilitator's guide to participatory decision-making. John Wiley & Sons.
Köksalan, M., Wallenius, J. and Zionts, S., 2013. An early history of multiple criteria
decision making. Journal of Multi
‐Criteria Decision Analysis, 20(1-2), pp.87-94.
Li, Y., Ashkanasy, N.M. and Ahlstrom, D., 2014. The rationality of emotions: A hybrid
process model of decision-making under uncertainty. Asia Pacific Journal of
Management, 31(1), pp.293-308.
Mardani, A., Jusoh, A. and Zavadskas, E.K., 2015. Fuzzy multiple criteria decision-making
techniques and applications–Two decades review from 1994 to 2014. Expert systems with
Applications, 42(8), pp.4126-4148.
Payzan-LeNestour, E., Dunne, S., Bossaerts, P. and O’Doherty, J.P., 2013. The neural
representation of unexpected uncertainty during value-based decision making. Neuron, 79(1),
pp.191-201.
Raikov, A.N. and Panfilov, S.A., 2013. Convergent decision support system with genetic
algorithms and cognitive simulation. IFAC Proceedings Volumes, 46(9), pp.1108-1113.

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RodríGuez, R.M., MartıNez, L. and Herrera, F., 2013. A group decision making model
dealing with comparative linguistic expressions based on hesitant fuzzy linguistic term
sets. Information Sciences, 241, pp.28-42.
Romiszowski, A.J., 2016. Designing instructional systems: Decision making in course
planning and curriculum design. Routledge.
Saaty, T.L. and Peniwati, K., 2013. Group decision making: drawing out and reconciling
differences. RWS publications.
Suriya, S. and Mudgal, B.V., 2013. Soft systems methodology and integrated flood
management: a study of the A dayar watershed, C hennai, I ndia. Water and environment
journal, 27(4), pp.462-473.
Taylor, D.W., 2013. Decision making and problem solving. Handbook of organizations,
pp.48-86.
Thuraisingham, B., 2014. Data mining: technologies, techniques, tools, and trends. CRC
press.
Wahl, S.E. and Thompson, A.M., 2013. Concept mapping in a critical care orientation
program: A pilot study to develop critical thinking and decision-making skills in novice
nurses. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 44(10), pp.455-460.
Yu, D., Li, D.F., Merigó, J.M. and Fang, L., 2016. Mapping development of linguistic
decision making studies. Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems, 30(5), pp.2727-2736.