Problem solving and decision making
Bibliographic details
Summary
Both problem solving and decision making go hand in hand, but success in one doesn’t automatically lead to the other. Those in leadership and management roles need to understand the difference between the two and aim to make lifelong improvements in both skillsets. Decisions are made when multiple opportunities for action present themselves. You can make decisions, yet never solve the problem. You can be adept at problem solving, or finding the root of an issue, and still lack the decision making skills to choose and action viable next steps to bring about a successful outcome. Quick decisions don’t always lead to best-case solutions. A purist approach to problem solving doesn’t take into account that sometimes a business needs to make the best decision under the existing circumstances (where budget, time and resource constraints might play a factor).