Learning for everyone Principles of Leadership and Management

Learning for everyone… Principles of Leadership and Management: Level 3 Unit 4: Learning Outcome: 1

Learning for everyone… Principles of effective decision making Setting Objectives: These are statements of specific outcomes to be achieved and must be set using SMART – Specific (detailed, focused and well defined) Measurable (quantifiable targets) Achievable Realistic (Use all necessary resources available) Time-bound Importance: This provides focus for the decision making process; Sets the foundation for rational decision making and provides the basis for identifying the success criteria

Learning for everyone… Principles of effective decision making Level of decisions – Are these strategic, tactical or operational/administrative? Who makes the decision – individual, group or organisational? The importance of this is to ensure decisions are taken by the right people. This ensures that appropriate objectives and success criteria are identified. That a more efficient and effective decision making process is supported by the appropriate level of data

Learning for everyone… Principles of effective decision making Success criteria: This is the method used to determine best possible options and outcomes. It is the use of relevant and important factors to measure the performance of different options. The importance of this is that it: links the objectives to the final decision identifies how each option performs in relation to the objectives ensures that decisions meet the identified objectives

Learning for everyone… Analysing the potential impact of decision making Development of a decision matrix using the relevant rated criteria to analyse: Ø Cost/benefit Ø Cost effectiveness Ø Efficiency Ø Risk probability Ø Feasibility and capability Ø Return on investment Ø ethics, social responsibility and sustainability Ø consequences

Learning for everyone… obtaining sufficient valid information to enable effective decision making Valid information is always: Ø Accurate and accessible Ø Reliable from trusted sources Ø Produced timely and fit for purpose Ø Relevant to the agreed objectives set The importance of this: Ø Decisions are made based on all relevant factors. Ø Decisions made are more appropriate to the situations. Ø Reduces the risks and negative impact of decisions.

Learning for everyone… aligning decisions with business objectives, values and policies Business objectives: Ø These are statements of specific outcomes that are to be achieved, such as performance targets, set monthly or annual income Business values: Ø These are the core principles behind the business, what it believes in. Ø The pre-set standards or behavioural norms in conducting the organisation’s business

Learning for everyone… Aligning decisions with business objectives, values and policies The importance of aligning decisions is that it Ø supports the development of a defined organisational image and culture. Ø Ensures consistency with the business strategy. Ø Ensures achievement of business objectives. Ø Avoids conflict between departments. Ø Employees better understand their contribution to business performance. Ø Helps staff engagement and motivation

Learning for everyone… Validate information used in the decision making process Ø Confirm the accuracy of information used through: Ø Triangulation (comparison of information from different sources) Ø Check carefully for lack of grammatical errors and misspellings Ø Check information sources stated Ø Ensure you obtain comprehensive information Ø Check the relevance of all information Ø The purpose of all information Ø Check it meets the audiences purposes Ø Check the date of all evidence used – is it relevant?

Learning for everyone… Issues that hamper the achievement of targets Ø Issues include staff lacking the right skills and competencies Ø Limited physical resources. Ø Poor performance management. Ø Lack of communication of targets and standards. Ø Unmotivated staff. Ø Ineffective leadership. Ø Unrealistic targets being set Ø Lack of quality processes and procedures.