Project Decision-Making: How to Do It Better

Our pilot software launch was due to go live, but it didn’t feel right. We had our go/no-go meeting. As I sat in my office, it felt like we weren’t ready. My project sponsor was in Canada on vacation. I emailed him to confirm that I was making the right decision.
I received a message saying that his hotel had been destroyed. He and his wife fled with his phone, and her jewelry. He sent a photograph. It was terrible.
The decision was mine. It was the right decision to delay, but it was not an easy one. This was something we had been working on for over a year. The pilot was supported by many people.
The executive sponsor was sitting in his office, one of those rooms with glass walls. I knocked at his door, explaining why no one had heard from my boss and what we should do to delay the launch. He nodded.
Decision taken. We will delay the pilot.
And… breathe.
The hardest part was making the decision. Implementing the decision is the easier part. After all, that’s what project managers do.

Step-by-step overviewStep 1. Identify
Step 2: Gather information
Step 3: Evaluate, select
Step 4: Take Action/ Implement
A Decision Log
Step 5: Monitor the Outcome

What are the decisions you can use this process to make?
Operational and strategic decisions

A model of ethical decision-making that takes into account risk and decision making
Skills for decision-making

Summary
Next steps

You will be required to make multiple decisions every day as a project manager. You will be relied upon by people, often multiple times per day, to provide guidance, and to help them make important decisions.
Some of these decisions are simple. You can just choose a path and move forward. Other decisions have a greater impact and may require additional thought or input from multiple stakeholders and team members.
All of them are part the project governance framework.
Project managers make some of the most important decisions regarding cost, scope, resources, schedule, and schedule.
There are many decisions to be made before a project can begin. The decisions never stop, if I’m honest. It can make our lives much easier if we make good decisions, especially during planning. Who wouldn’t want this?
It is helpful to have a framework or decision-making process to guide you when faced with complex problems that may require additional information.
It is important to use a framework to ensure consistency in the way decisions are made and to minimize or eliminate any personal biases around certain options or solutions that might unfairly influence the outcome.
This article will give you more information about a framework that can help you make better decisions in an ethical, rational, and effective way.
Step-by-step overview
In project management, there are five steps to making a decision. These are:
Identify decision – Someone who identifies the need to make a decision (project manager or member of project team member)
Gather information – Determine what information is needed to make an informed decision.
Evaluate and choose the option – Review available information, possible path forward, pros and cons of each option to determine the preferred option based upon agreed criteria.
Take action and implement the option you choose.
Monitor the outcome – monitor the effect of the decision on your project.
Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Step 1: Identify yourself
A decision is required at any stage of a project’s life cycle. First, identify the decision that must be made. This could be a problem that needs solving or something else that requires your attention.
There are many people who can decide whether a decision is necessary – from the project leader to the project team member to key stakeholders.
It is important to mention that the project manager