FREE online courses on Information Technology - Chapter 1 INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY - HOW DO INDIVIDUALS MAKE DECISIONS
In finding and solving a problem, the decision maker faces
myriad decision cycles. What is the problem, what is its cause, what additional
data are needed, and how should the solution be implemented? Each of these major
steps in solving a problem involves the solution of sub problems.
The Nobel laureate, Herbert Simon (1965), suggests a series
of descriptive stages for decision making to help understanding the decision
process. The first stage is defined as
intelligence,
which determines a problem exists. The decision maker must become aware of a
problem and gather data about it. We have described this stage as problem finding or identification.
During the design
stage, the problem solver tries to develop a set of alternative solutions. The
problem solver asks what approaches are available to solve the problem and
evaluates each one. In the Choice stage, the decision maker selects one of the
solutions. If all the alternatives are evaluated well, the choice stage is
usually the simplest one to execute. We should also add a stage to Simon's model
called implementation, in which we ensure that
the solution is carried out.
Making a decision can be a complex understanding; however,
decisions are what determine the direction of our lives and our organizations.
Information systems, among other roles, help provides information for decision
making.
