Analysis of Operations Management and Decision-Making Models in MBA503

This assignment examines the key risks associated with delaying decisions in operations management, emphasizing the role of procrastination and uncertainties. The student's response directly addresses the assignment question, exploring how delayed decisions can increase the likelihood of poor choices due to overlooking crucial factors, and the impact of risks and uncertainties on the decision-making process. The response also analyzes the postings of two other students, highlighting the importance of decision-making, and the distinction between risks and uncertainties. The analysis includes a discussion of the decision-making process, including the importance of information gathering, the impact of procrastination, and the effect of biases like recency effect and normalcy bias. References are provided to support the arguments and concepts discussed in the assignment. The assignment fulfills the requirements of a discussion forum post for an Operations Management and Decision-Making Models course, contributing to the student's overall grade based on the quality and regularity of their participation.

Running head: OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT AND DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
Operations Management and Decision-Making Models
Name of the Student:
Name of University:
Author Note

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What do you believe are some of the key risks associated with delaying decisions
until sometime in future?
Direct Answer to the question:
Directions which are to be taken and are delayed as much as possible till the very last
moment, is the act of procrastination. This is inspired by laziness n most of the times. There are
thoughts which do not allow someone to take action on in important decision which involves risk
and uncertainties (Bouyssou, Dubois, Prade and Pirlot 2013). These are something which makes
a person apprehensive about the outcomes and thus the decisions get delayed.
One of the very essential parts of management or achievement of goals and objectives, is
decision making process. In modern day management, decision making plays a very important
role to lead to the decision which determines further course of action and consequences
(Zsambok and Klein 2014). These consequences are often feared because the decisions taken
may give rise to negative consequences, which is, sometimes, the primary reasons behind
procrastination apart from laziness and withdrawal to arrive at a decision.
A decision might be a something that is chosen out of several alternatives provided. The
decision plays a very crucial role as it determines actualization of objectives through the
decision. Thus, it is a purposeful action which is required for progress and advancement through
something (Pettigrew 2014). Therefore, it is very important to choose the most appropriate
alternative out of the choices which are available at the disposal. If it involves organizational
activities. The decision is a very important aspect, which should be paid great attention to.
Delaying the act of arriving at a decision which involve risks may increase chances of
taking the wrong decision as one may tend to overlook the crucial factors which are to be paid

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close attention to while making the decision. This helps to overcome the uncertainties and risks
which are associated with the same (Ruff et al. 2013). Uncertainties and risks are associated
with future outcomes which are sometimes identified and sometimes not. Decisions are to be
taken after dedicating thought and understanding of the possible outcomes and results (Zsambok
and Klein 2014). Whereas, not doing so, may lead to uninvited troubles. A person’s life is based
on the decisions which are made, professional as well as personal. And thus, the best time to take
the crucial decision is after achieving required knowledge about the same.
It needs to be understood that uncertainty and risks, both are nit the same thing. Risks
involves losses while uncertainties are the outcomes which are not entirely known. Risks should
be paid greater attention to, than the uncertainties which are involved in the process.
Responses to postings of other students:
1. Risks associated with Delayed Decisions by Ben Thomas
The posting written by Ben Thomas presents an idea about how important taking
decisions are as they determine more than what is often understood. He has stated that
simple decisions which are made such as when to eat and sleep, are trivial but contribute
to determine characteristics and responses of people. Simple decisions are easier to take
as they involve less introspection and consideration of the outcomes (Ruff 2014). And
thus, the decisions are taken with much ease and are forgotten. Pointing out this point is
important to highlight how difficult or easy is the process of taking a decision, which has
been done with simplicity.
However, this has been contrasted with decisions which are often difficult to take
and thus take more time and thought before concluding with the option which is chosen
during the process. The decisions may range from being related to personal or

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professional life (Bouyssou, Dubois, Prade and Pirlot 2013). This would require more
analysis and evaluation of the data which are crucial and related to the outcomes which
are possible because of the decisions which are to be taken. The uncertainties, at this
point are to be assessed, as these are important factors to be considered during the
process.
He has made clear distinction between risks and uncertainties which are related to
the decision making process. It has been made clear that risks and uncertainties are not
same and they differ as risks comprise of the losses while uncertainties are the possible
outcomes which are not always known. A graph has been provided which represent the
process of decision making and the optimal point which highlights the precise point
during which the decision can be taken.
The process of decision making comprises of different phases such as analysis or
seeking information which are relevant to the making a choice among the available
options. This can tend to affect the decision of a person, whether or not to be focused on
the results which are to be achieved (Ruff 2014). The second process is the act of
procrastination about the decision. A person may wait or take long time to arrive at a
decision or gather the relevant information which is necessary to understand the
graveness of the decision or the possible outcomes which are related to the decision to be
taken (Rezaei 2015). A very crucial thought might come to the mind of the person taking
a decision that is maintaining of status quo, which has been rightly pointed out by the
student in the post.
There also are two effects which are also taken into consideration and has been
listed in the post, which is Regency effect. This involves a mistake which is often

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committed such as weighing the recent event more than the events which has taken place
earlier and thus, delay the action of taking a decision. On the other hand is the normalcy
bias, for which a person may neglect the need to plan for the chances of failures which
has not taken place before. However, few strategies can be followed in order to eradicate
chances of loss. The posting is precise and has been presented with precise which are
related to the process of decision making.
2. Key Risks Associated with Delayed Decisions by Vijaykumar Arvindbhai Devani
The post has presented the core ideas behind decision making process. It has
pointed out how important the process of taking decision is, to the prospect of business
management. It underlines the importance of gathering appropriate ideas which are
necessary to arrive at a conclusion (Ghattas, Soffer and Peleg 2014). There are two
concepts which are related with decision making process such as uncertainty and risks.
Risks and uncertainties are the outcomes which are to be assessed and predicted to
understand the outcomes. However, the risks and uncertainties cannot always be
identified.
If decisions are taken without paying attention to the nuances which are
associated with the decision, it might lead to dangers. Therefore, time and thought should
be levied to the same to negate the chances of risks (Xu 2015). On the contrary, the idea
that delayed decision also involve risks has been presented in the posting. Procrastination
and delaying the decision may provide chances of analysis and monitoring of data and
events which will ensure a better understanding of the decisions and the outcomes which
are associated with the same (Bouyssou, Dubois, Prade and Pirlot 2013). However, there
might also be chances of missing crucial and important opportunities. An example has

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been provided to substantiate that, such as failing to deliver a product or information may
lead to the loss of trust or reputation.
Tine is precious, which should also be valued equally. Not doing so can cause
massive dangers which may include missing of opportunities while waiting for the right
time to act. However, to ensure that such risks are avoided, one must follow strategies
such as analysis of the information (Negulescu 2014. This can help in the process of
taking the most effective decision. Planning can be useful which will allow the vision of
the goals.
The post which has been presented by the student is comprehensive while it has
less coherence as it has in the other post by Ben Thomas. The post has laid out objectives
which are precise to the decision making process but could have been made more orderly.

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References
Bouyssou, D., Dubois, D., Prade, H. and Pirlot, M. eds., 2013. Decision making process:
Concepts and methods. John Wiley & Sons.
https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=XhaoarwDNQQC&oi=fnd&pg=PT9&dq=Bouyssou,+D.,+Dubois,+D.,+Prade,
+H.+and+Pirlot,+M.+eds.,+2013.+Decision+making+process:+Concepts+and+methods.
+John+Wiley+
%26+Sons.&ots=zcMjSCBItG&sig=KixF0UvVsfooCjnETU88D6iXNIU&redir_esc=y#v=onepa
ge&q=Bouyssou%2C%20D.%2C%20Dubois%2C%20D.%2C%20Prade%2C%20H.%20and
%20Pirlot%2C%20M.%20eds.%2C%202013.%20Decision%20making%20process%3A
%20Concepts%20and%20methods.%20John%20Wiley%20%26%20Sons.&f=false
Ghattas, J., Soffer, P. and Peleg, M., 2014. Improving business process decision making based
on past experience. Decision Support Systems, 59, pp.93-107.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016792361300256X
Negulescu, O., 2014. Using a decision-making process model in strategic management. Review
of General Management, 19(1), pp.111-123.
http://www.managementgeneral.ro/pdf/1_2014_10.pdf
Pettigrew, A.M., 2014. The politics of organizational decision-making. Routledge.
https://content.taylorfrancis.com/books/download?dac=C2009-0-24724-
3&isbn=9781317833901&format=googlePreviewPdf
Rezaei, J., 2015. Best-worst multi-criteria decision-making method. Omega, 53, pp.49-57.

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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305048314001480
Ruff, J., Starling, R.P., Trinkala, M.D., Cross, K.M., Porter, B.W. and Clayton, G., Microsoft
Corp, 2013. Facilitating a decision-making process. U.S. Patent 8,504,621.
https://patents.google.com/patent/US8504621B2/en
Xu, Z., 2015. Uncertain multi-attribute decision making: Methods and applications. Springer.
https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=RUSMBgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR6&dq=+decision+making&ots=rMsV7WT
Qey&sig=Q8Te4cDZeD8Q4tLyGBv68P2Md_U&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=decision
%20making&f=false
Zsambok, C.E. and Klein, G. eds., 2014. Naturalistic decision making. Psychology Press.
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9781315806129/chapters/10.4324/9781315806129-8