Describe the process of a decision you made in the last month at work or at home. Which model—classical, administrative, or political—did you use to make your decision?
Was it programmed or unprogrammed? How do you know? Explain your answers.
Sample Answer
Title: The Decision-Making Process: A Case Study
Introduction:
Decision-making is an integral part of our daily lives, whether it’s at work or at home. In this essay, I will discuss a decision I made in the last month and analyze it using various decision-making models. Furthermore, I will identify whether the decision was programmed or unprogrammed and provide a comprehensive explanation for my classification.
Thesis Statement:
The decision I made last month at work can be analyzed through the administrative decision-making model. It was an unprogrammed decision due to its unique nature and the need for problem-solving.
Body:
I. Description of the Decision:
In the past month, I encountered a challenge at work that required me to make a critical decision. The situation involved a major technical failure in our company’s computer system, which resulted in significant downtime and disruption of operations. As part of the IT team, I was tasked with finding a solution to rectify the issue promptly.
II. Decision-Making Model:
a) Administrative Decision-Making Model:
The administrative decision-making model is characterized by its practical approach, focusing on finding a satisfactory solution rather than an optimal one. This model involves limited information processing and relies on previous experiences and intuition.
b) Application to the Decision:
Using the administrative decision-making model, I analyzed the situation by considering the available resources, time constraints, and potential outcomes. I recognized that this was an unprogrammed decision since it involved a unique problem that did not have a predetermined solution within our existing procedures.
III. Factors Influencing the Decision:
a) Limited Information:
Due to the urgency of the situation, there was limited time to gather comprehensive information about the technical failure. However, my experience and expertise in the field allowed me to identify the root cause and devise a potential solution more efficiently.
b) Time Constraints:
The urgency of resolving the issue quickly put additional pressure on me as the decision-maker. This factor influenced my decision to prioritize immediate corrective actions over extensive analysis or consultation.
IV. Decision-Making Process:
a) Problem Identification:
The first step in my decision-making process was to identify the problem accurately. By investigating the symptoms and conducting a quick assessment of the system, I recognized that a hardware failure was the primary cause for the disruption.
b) Generating Alternative Solutions:
Next, I brainstormed potential solutions based on my technical knowledge and previous experiences. This step involved considering both short-term fixes to restore operations and long-term measures to prevent similar failures in the future.
c) Evaluation and Selection:
I evaluated each alternative based on its feasibility, impact on operations, and cost-effectiveness. Considering the limited resources and time constraints, I selected a solution that would restore functionality immediately while also addressing the underlying cause.
d) Implementation and Monitoring:
Once I made the decision, I promptly implemented the chosen solution. Continuous monitoring was essential during this phase to ensure that the problem was resolved adequately, and operations were restored smoothly.
Conclusion:
In summary, the decision I made last month at work was effectively analyzed using the administrative decision-making model. It was an unprogrammed decision due to its unique nature and the need for problem-solving. Through a systematic decision-making process involving problem identification, generating alternative solutions, evaluation, selection, and implementation, I successfully resolved the technical failure and restored operations swiftly. The application of appropriate decision-making models enhances our ability to make well-informed choices in various aspects of life.