Group Decision Making and Steps involved

Presenter Himato Kappo NU/MN-09/11

Definition of Group
A collection of two or more individuals, interacting and interdependent, who have come together to achieve a common objective/s.

Group Decision Making

Group decision making is a type of participatory process in which multiple individuals acting collectively, analyze problems or situations, consider and evaluate alternative courses of action, and select from among the alternatives a solution or solutions.

Why Group can make higher quality decisions?

According to Gary John, there are three assumption that form basis of this argument Groups are more vigilant than individuals Groups can generate more ideas and develop more alternative solution than individuals Group can evaluate ideas better than individuals

Techniques of group decision making

Brainstorming Delphi technique Nominal technique Fish bowling Didactic interaction

Basic Steps in Group Decision Making

1. Define the decision to be made
Keep everyone on the same page by discussing and determining what exactly has to be decided. You can define the decision in the form of a question. Identify critical factors involved in the decision, recording what is known about each factor. Develop questions for what is not known about each factor.

2. Identify any mandatory requirements

Identify sources of information and input, and collect information relevant to the decision. Determine stakeholders and identify what interests they might have relevant to the decisions. Determine the approval/s you will need to move forward and how you will get it. Determine the givens (what wont change or what must change).

3. Choose appropriate decision criteria

Identify the criterion that is important to the decision. Apply weights to the criterion.

4. Identify possible alternatives

Determine all realistic alternatives, so the group can bring down the list to the ones with the most promise.

5. Evaluate alternatives against criteria

Evaluate each viable option using business-related criteria.

6. Assess risks
What could go wrong? What are possible unintended consequences?

7. Select and Implement the best alternative/s

Identify which alternative is best, given a careful analysis of the business environment and the chances for success. Put an action plan in place that will allow the group to assess potential problems in implementation and periodically measure their progress.

Advantages of group decision making

Group members may have different specialties Implementation of decision may be more effective Eliminates biases Builds up foundations as a training ground Democratic in nature

Disadvantages of group decision making

Social pressure Time consuming Own interests to protect May not be in accord with the goals and objectives of the organization Groupthink

Reference
www.ohrd.wisc.edu/Home/Portals/0/Week 1-Ch1-TheDynamicsofGroupDecisionMaking.pdf http://wiki.answers.com/Q/8_steps_of_dec ision-making_process http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/Th e-DecisionMaking Process.topicArticleId8944,articleId-8863.html