TYPES OF DECISIONS
- PROGRAMMED DECISIONS:
Programmed decisions are routine and repetitive, and the organization typically develops specific ways to handle them. A programmed decision might involve determining how products will be arranged on the shelves of a supermarket. For this kind of routine, repetitive problem, standard arrangement decisions are typically made according to established management guidelines.
- NON PROGRAMMED DECISIONS:
Non programmed decisions are typically one shot decisions that are usually less structured than programmed decision.
There are also some other types of decisions. They are:
➣ Irreversible
These decisions are permanent, once taken, they can’t be undone. The effects of these decisions are far-reaching and are taken only when all other options have been exhausted.
➣ Reversible
Reversible decisions are not final and binding, they can be retracted at any point, and another more fitting decision made. It allows one to acknowledge mistakes and undertake relevant damage control, depending on how the new circumstances play out.
➣ Delayed
Such decisions are put on hold until the decision maker thinks that the right time has come. This delay might cause one to miss certain opportunities that may present themselves, especially in the case of businesses, and may lead to losses. However, such decisions are the norm for large bodies like the government, which decide policies that affect the lives of millions of people. The time taken to collect all information required and to organize plans of implementation, is crucial to the ultimate well-being of the public.
➣ Quick Decisions
These decisions enable one to make maximum use of the opportunity available at hand. However, only a very astute personality can take decisions that are both instantaneous and correct. In order to be able to take the right decision within a short span of time, one should also take the long-term results into consideration.
➣ Experimental
One of the ways of decision-making is the experimental type, where the final decision cannot be taken until the preliminary results appear and are positive. This approach is used when one is sure of the final destination but is not convinced of the course to be taken. Experimental decisions are common in fields such as medicine, where the product being tested goes through several phases, and decisions may change with every iteration.
➣ Trial and Error
This approach involves trying out a certain course of action. If the result is positive it is followed further, if not, then a fresh course is adopted. Such a trial and error method is continued until the decision-maker finally arrives at a course of action that convinces him of success. This allows a manager to change and adjust his plans until the final commitment is made.
➣ Conditional
Conditional decisions allow an individual to keep all his options open. He sticks to one decision as long as the circumstances remain the same. Once the competitor makes a new move, conditional decisions allow a person to take up a different course of action.
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