Competency: Decision Making

Definition: Competence in decision making is the ability to confidently and decisively decide on a course of action after critically analyzing information, parameters and constraints. Informed decisions come from gathering information and viewing the choice from different perspectives. High quality decision making requires flexibility and openness as well as a careful evaluation of the costs and benefits.

Feedback Surveys Measuring Decision Making:
Survey 1 (4-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 2 (4-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 3 (5-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 4 (5-point scale; radio buttons)
Survey 5 (4-point scale; words)
Survey 6 (4-point scale; words)
Survey 7 (5-point scale; competency comments; N/A)
Survey 8 (3-point scale; Agree/Disagree words; N/A)
Survey 9 (3-point scale; Strength/Development; N/A)
Survey 10 (Comment boxes only)
Survey 11 (Single rating per competency)
Survey 12 (Slide-bar scale)

Confident

Is confident in the decisions they make.
Supports, encourages or helps others to be sure about the decisions they are making.
Acts confidently in the absence of guidance.
Is firm in their decision and not easily influenced by the whims of others.
Comes across as confident, decisive, and resilient
Is confident in their actions.
Very intent in their decisions.
Remains calm when making important or difficult decisions.

Decisiveness

Is able to make decisions quickly.
Makes decisions independently (without having to be told what or how).
Is assigned the difficult decisions that need to be made.
Focuses attention on treating the causes of problems rather than simply addressing the symptoms
Remains decisive after discovering a mistake.
Is not afraid to take risks that may yield significant results.
Responds quickly to tough "people issues" when dealing with internal or external customers
Takes charge when in charge.
Makes effective decisions autonomously.
Takes decisive action to address problems, following up with relevant team members and coaching them on how to improve

Analytical

Breaks complex issues into manageable parts and organizes them in a systematic way before making decisions
Evaluates information before making a final decision.
Regularly evaluates information before making important decisions.
Carefully evaluates information before making an important decision.
Makes logical assumptions in the absence of facts.
Determines where actual results differ from desired results and makes necessary corrections
Balances analysis with decisiveness in order to meet deadlines
Assesses the Pros- and Cons- before making a decision.

Critical Thinking

Effectively chooses appropriate courses of action.
Uses reasonable assumptions and logic to decide between alternate courses of action
Examines relevant factors needed to make a decision.
Relates and compares information from different sources to identify possible cause-and-effect relationships.
Is able to decline bad ideas to avoid making poor decisions.
Makes effective, practical decisions based on knowledge, experience, and judgment.
Improvises within supervisor's intent; handles a fluid environment.
Uncovers critical issues to use as a guide in both making decisions and taking advantage of opportunities.
Defers decisions upwards only when necessary and appropriate

Decision Quality

Exercises good judgment by making sound and informed decisions.
Makes good decisions for the department.
Makes decisions that positively impact team/departmental performance
Makes good decisions even under conditions of uncertainty.
Employs sound judgment and logical reasoning.
Makes sound and timely decisions.
Make sound and timely decisions under pressure

Goals and Objectives

Does not lose sight of the big picture when making decisions
Maintains focus on the "big picture" when making decisions.
Decides which long-term goals should be met.
Decides which short- and long-term goals should be created.
Remains focused on the immediate goal when making decisions.
Makes decisions that support the department's goals and objectives.
Stays focused on the main objective when making decisions.

Informed Decisions

Asks for additional information when making critical decisions.
Gathers information before making a decision.
Is well-versed in Company's reports and uses them to make effective business decisions
Makes effective, practical decisions based on factual information.
Keeps informed about developments and policy changes inside and outside the organization.
Helps the Supervisor/team make effective business decisions by ensuring the correctness of Company's reports/resources
Makes decisions that are based on available facts, existing constraints, and probable outcomes.
Understands the issues, problems, and potential solutions.
Systematically gathers, analyzes, and interprets information from a variety of sources
Knows how to obtain accurate and up-to-date information about the situation or problem.
Gathers and analyzes relevant information about changing situations to recognize and define emerging problems.

Includes Others

Seeks input from key people who should be involved in, or will be affected by, decisions
Coaches team members individually when "poor" decisions are made; helps them see what could have been done differently
Facilitates meetings with others to try to consider alternative courses of action.
Coaches team members individually when "incorrect" decisions are made; helps them see what could have been done differently
Encourages team to provide input on branch decisions when appropriate
Develops and shares effective decision-making practices and tools to further develop the team
Includes stakeholders in the decision-making process as necessary.
Coaches team on decision-making, especially from a multiple-site-management perspective
Trains/coaches others on how to make effective decisions
Solicits feedback from others on the quality of his/her decision-making
Involves others in decisions and keep them informed of consequences that affect them.

Forward Thinking

Examines for patterns in data to help predict future possibilities.
Considers the impact and implications of decisions on others and on situations.
Prepares for potential problems and opportunities in working toward desired goals.
Anticipates needs for action.
Evaluates the effectiveness of decisions and uses this information to guide future decisions
Considers contingencies and their consequences.
Evaluates short and long term consequences when making decisions.

Self-awareness

Learns from previous bad decisions and rarely repeats them.
Is able to learn from mistakes.
Learns from the consequences of decisions made.
Aware of his/her own skills and abilities.
Accepts the consequences of decisions made.
Effectively prioritizes and organizes themselves and their workload.

Different Perspectives

Considers the ethical implications of decisions.
Views the issues from multiple perspectives before making a decision.
Views the long and short-term impact of decisions.
Understands how different perspectives can help make better informed decisions.
Uses data from different sources to confirm information.

Creativity

Applies creative reasoning in making decisions.
Recognizes and generates innovative solutions.
Makes creative decisions.
Is creative about the decisions they make.
Makes decisions based on novel interpretations of the facts.
Formulates imaginative decisions.

Parameters and Constraints

Defines what constraints must be met for the decision making process.
Identifies parameters impacting the decision.
Defines parameters that will impact the decision making process.
Outlines the parameters influencing the decision making process.
Determines constraints that may impact what decisions are acceptable.

Flexibility and Openness

Willing to consider information from other sources.
Receptive to new ideas from others when making decisions.
Open to the suggestions from subordinates.
Willing to change their strategy if new information arises.
Is open to listening to others who may have different ideas.

Costs and Benefits

Assesses the risks, benefits, and potential impact of a number of options when deciding a course of action
Determines the costs and potential benefits of decisions.
Performs a cost/benefit analysis before making a decision.
Weighs the pros and cons of decisions.
Develops alternative courses of action and choose the best course of action based on analysis of their relative costs and benefits.

Emotional Intelligence

Has enough self-control to avoid making impulsive decisions.
Understands how their decisions will affect others.
Has a good rapport other people which is helpful in making decisions on the team.
Is aware of the impact of decisions and informs others about potential outcomes.
Takes into account the impact decisions will have on others.
Understands the importance of decisions they are making.