Seven Tips For Better Decision Making

Gut Feel May Not Always Be The Right Decision

1. Validate Underlying Assumptions; Broadly classify the types of decisions made by you into critical,  important but not critical, tactical but not important and routine decisions, put the information required for decision making under each of these broad categories for re-validating the assumptions with the factual situation on the basis of the present ground realities attaching a review periodicity to each one of them. The theory of relativity propounded by Einstein , holds good for modern day management practices as well.The environment in which we operate keeps changing on a continuous basis, therefore it is important to understand that with each passing moment the reality around us is in a continuous state of change and the world as it stands now in this moment is unique and has never been like this before and will never be like this again. This continuous change adds a dynamic element of uncertainty to our lives and the decision making whether personal or professional is no exception.Make a note of all the assumptions underlying your decision making process. Note even the most insignificant assumption and revisit the facts to ascertain the validity of these assumptions, certain assumptions when challenged have the potential to bring about a paradigm shift in the approach towards the decision making process and its impact on the status quo.
2. Align Values & Goals; Is the decision in line with your deeply held values that are close to your heart? One of the simplest ways of answering this question is through visualization of the possible outcomes of the decision that you are about to take. In your visualization if this decision is helping you move towards your goals then it appears to be a desirable one. The litmus test of your decision lies in its congruity with your value system. Chose the most appropriate of the available options that would facilitate optimization on these twin parameters of goal accomplishment and value alignment. Visualize the possible consequences that may arise as an outcome of the decision that you want to take. Answer these two questions, 1. Are these consequences in line with MY deeply revered values? and 2.Would they be taking ME a step closer towards the accomplishment of MY goals?. If the answer to both these questions is yes, then go ahead with your decision or else think of some other better alternatives and repeat the process.
3. Review Motive & Trigger Events ;Take time to empathize with the people or external agencies around you to have a deeper look on the effect your decision will have on them. Review the underlying motivation to take the decision as well as the events which are acting as the trigger for your decision. Having a detached view of the scenario will lend an air of credibility to your decision making process as your decision would be well thought of and not taken at the drop of a hat. This approach will help you stick to your decision confidently in the face of difficulties or opposition.Your confidence would be even higher if your values are in sync with the universally applicable natural principles.
4. Evaluate Opportunity Cost ; When you take a decision it is eventually at the cost of some other decision that is foregone, therefore it is a great idea to evaluate the effectiveness of your chosen decision, before hand, in terms of the cost of the lost opportunity as you decide in favor of one decision over the other. 
5. Connect with Cosmos ; Practice daily meditation and develop your sixth sense to give you directions for drawing conclusions & inferences which are based on the holistic integration of the universal understanding that is far greater than the best possible information available on paper or your processing devices. That also explains the well known fact that why the sages have the power to know the truth in the present moment for its relation to the past and the future. This is generally termed as intuition which defies all the past experiences, logic & expert knowledge to arrive at a perfect decision that till date remains a mystery to the modern proponents of the super computers and the scientific decision making systems. Therefore it is important to take out time from your busy schedule and connect regularly with the cosmos through meditation.
6. Optimize Time Lag ; In view of  the above , it is absolutely critical to optimize the time lag between information gathering/ compilation , decision making, implementation and next re-validation.To what ever extent the human mind may try but it wouldn't ever be able to completely comprehend the present situation as in the present moment due to the time lag between the various stages of the decision making process, for example if there is barely a gap of just of a few seconds between the information gathered, decision taken and its dissemination to those concerned, lets say in case of the aviation traffic control, it may possibly lead to disastrous consequences.At the same time consider the instances where the mishaps are averted by the unusual offbeat decisions which otherwise could have been fatal, had these decisions been not taken in that split fraction of a second The business world and our personal lives are no exceptions as these gaps generally go up to a period of a few days before another validation is effected. Therefore decisions thus taken are illusive as there are many factors that may have changed and continue to change, rendering these decisions not only ineffective and out of place but may also prove to be counterproductive by working against the very system they are supposed to support. Reducing the time lag between information collection ,decision making and its implementation is the key for remaining relevant to the changing times.To put it more aptly this may mean development and implementation of real time decision making systems, as used by aviation traffic control and other sophisticated public transport systems used by the developed economies, where the day to day decisions and  reviews are made on real time basis based on precise just in time availability of factual information.
7. Delay Decision ;Last but not the least , at times delaying a decision may also be an effective decision as the timing or inadequacy of available information or over dependence on gut feel may not always be the right decision.

Sanjay Sharma

Importance of SOPs for Organizations

"SOPs Facilitate Better Planning".

There are many advantages of having SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for various operational aspects of an organization. Lets look at the ground realities that make SOPs completely indispensable for any progressive organization aspiring to be a leader in its category. 

Advantages of SOPs for Organizations 

1. Standardized Processes Lead to Predictable Quality:  An organization may hire highly competent professionals.These professionals may be capable of working out a large number of ways for carrying out various operations of the organization. If individuals are allowed to conduct operations based on their comfort , intelligence and style then it can possibly lead to unwanted and often unexpected consequences.These outcomes might be in stark contrast to the desired ones. All organizations are responsible for maintaining a specific quality standard at every stage of the organizational functioning.This quality standard may be in the form of recording accurate information , maintaining hygiene , delivering time bound service , final appearance of the product or its packaging at the time of delivery,etc.What ever may be the need to have a quality framework there is only one answer and that is standardization.Any call for standardization is possible only if quality benchmarks are defined in specific terms.Having defined the product/service delivery standards is just the beginning.This spirals up into a chain reaction leading to a host of activities that need to be standardized for guaranteeing desired quality outcome meeting predefined standards. 
2. Meet Ongoing Need to Reflect Brand DNA ;  Any brand is recognized by its DNA. Brand DNA must be reflected in its products/ services.Then only it can fulfill its quality promise. The market has expectations of the brand.These expectations must be met if the organization wishes to continue enjoying good reputation and recall. Moreover these expectations are set by the organization in question and must better be met.
3. Transparency in Processes: Through SOPs the domain knowledge is made open to the authorized actors within the organization. This openness lends clarity to the process input output cycle, including process management and implementation. Transparency  eliminates ambiguity, fosters trust & facilitates teamwork to carry out the process with optimum efficiency and effectiveness. Widely known SOPs lead to  greater transparency and accountability in the conduct of day to day operations.
4. Effective Knowledge Management ; Standardized processes get documented, systematic record is maintained with each improvement in the process.This facilitates creation of knowledge repository in the organization. It becomes more logical and scientific to raise the quality bar for different processes being followed in the organization. Documented SOP manuals lead to effective knowledge management by facilitating in-depth study of the processes and initiating improvements on the go.
5. Organization Wide Training and Communication ; Orientation & Process training gets more organized, ensuring that participating employees gain clarity regarding the steps involved, their multi dimensional interface and dynamic relationships among various constituents.SOP manuals become handy tools for organization wide communication & training.Standardized training formats thus evolved, lead to adoption of sophisticated training management system in the organization. 
6. Objective Process Audits ; Process audits become objective and free from personal bias. Healthy environment paves the way for a professional work culture geared towards meritocracy. The criteria for identifying quality performers gets objectively defined and the evaluation standards get communicated in advance to the employees.Such professional approach generates enthusiasm, healthy teamwork and win win for all concerned. 
7. Improved Planning; Documented SOPs facilitate better planning by imparting clarity on the process flow, steps,  human resources involved, estimated time frame to complete different steps to decide on the optimized turnaround time  , capacity optimization during peak and lean hours,etc. All these factors put together throw light on process optimization through cost benefit analysis of maintaining or not maintaining predefined quality standards. These insights may lead to simplification of the complex management decisions. 
8. Process Automation; Study of documented SOPs provides, process automation team, indications regarding the level of automation that can be achieved and the steps which can be optimized to help improve the efficiency of the operations by enhancing the productivity of responsible employees. Management may use the series of written SOP manuals in conjunction with the process M.I.S for evaluating the pros and cons of the applicable options while contemplating process automation.

Sanjay V Sharma