Author: Tyler de la Plaine, PhD, CPM
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OODA Loop for Non-Military Rapid Decisioning
The OODA Loop—short for Observe, Orient, Decide, Act—is a decision-making framework developed by U.S. Air Force Colonel Boyd to train the military on a rapid and iterative process toward tactical and strategic decision-making. However, it has since become a widely adopted in business, leadership, startups, crisis management, and personal development, especially in fast-paced or competitive… Read more
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Intuitive Decision Making: Going with Your Gut
Intuitive decision-making is the process of making choices based on instinct, experience, and gut feelings rather than formal analysis or extensive data. In business and organizational settings, it plays a vital role—especially when decisions must be made quickly, under pressure, or in uncertain environments where data is incomplete or ambiguous. Leaders and professionals often develop… Read more
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Consensus Decision-Making as Cultural Team Building
Consensus decision-making goes beyond reaching agreements; it’s a collaborative team-building tool that fortifies organizational culture, particularly in small businesses, nonprofits, and values-driven organizations. Instead of relying solely on majority rule or top-down and silo-centric authorities, consensus emphasizes inclusive participation, ensuring that all voices are heard and respected. Decisions are only made when the entire group… Read more
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Six Thinking Hats: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Decision Making and Strategizing
The Six Thinking Hats method, developed by Edward de Bono, is a powerful multidisciplinary decision-making and problem-solving tool that helps small business owners and teams think more clearly, creatively, and collaboratively. It involves looking at a situation from six distinct perspectives—each represented by a different colored “hat”—to encourage balanced, structured thinking. Here’s how each disciplinary… Read more
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Using a Decision Tree for Visual & Analytical Analysis
Decision Tree Analysis is a visual and analytical decision-making tool that assists businesses and organizations in evaluating various choices, risks, and outcomes. Presented as a branching diagram, a decision tree systematically breaks down intricate problems into a series of decisions and potential consequences, facilitating logical and systematic comparisons of options. Each “node” within the tree… Read more
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Data-Driven Decision-Making for Young Companies
For young companies and startups, Data-Driven Decision Making (DDDM) is a powerful approach to gaining clarity, minimizing risk, and accelerating growth. Instead of relying solely on intuition or assumptions, DDDM uses data—quantitative and qualitative—to inform choices across product development, marketing, operations, and strategy. In the early stages, data doesn’t have to be complex or vast.… Read more
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SWOT Analysis: Simple Powerful Tool for Start-Ups and Established Organizations
For startups, conducting a SWOT Analysis is a pivotal early step in shaping strategy, identifying competitive advantages, and preparing for potential challenges. By analyzing Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, startup founders can gain a comprehensive understanding of their market position and make informed, proactive decisions. • Strengths in a startup context may encompass an innovative… Read more
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Cost-Benefit Analysis: a Strategic Decision Tool
A cost-benefit analysis (CBA) is a systematic decision-making tool employed in business and public policy to assess the financial and non-financial trade-offs of various options. Its fundamental principle revolves around comparing the total anticipated costs of a project or decision against its expected benefits. If the benefits surpass the costs, the decision is generally deemed… Read more
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Making difficult decisions can be daunting at times. When the stakes are high, and uncertainty persists, they can even seem insurmountable. For our military during war, making sound and timely decisions can be the difference between life and Read more
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Rational Decision-Making Model
The Rational Decision-Making Model is a structured and logical approach used by individuals and organizations to make well-informed, objective choices. It is grounded in the idea that decisions should be based on thorough analysis and clear reasoning rather than intuition or impulse. This model is particularly effective when the decision context is stable, alternatives are… Read more