The 2:9 Decision Making Process

As corporate governors, we are all taught the absolute importance of making sure that our decision making processes ensure that all key initiatives are supported by extensive data analysis.

How else can we make sure that we make the right decisions?!

This is all very well and good but it ignores two fundamental factors, namely:-

• where does intuition and “gut-feel” fit into this process?
• what about the ever-increasing flow of information and time pressure within which to react?

It strikes me that our busy lives need to take account of the fact that not all decisions can be made after a full and elaborate consideration of all the options supported by extensive data analysis.

I have recently been trying out a new mechanism that I shall refer to as the “2:9 Decision Making Process”.

In simple terms, before deciding on a course of action, give yourself two minutes to come with nine potential options.

You will be surprised (or maybe not) to discover that two significant phenomena occur.

Firstly, two minutes forces the brain to think quickly. This pressure concentrates the mind and removes procrastination and indecisiveness (nornally associated with decision-making).

Secondly, having to come up with nine ideas stretches the imagination and forces lateral thinking.

My company has used this process on a number of strategic initiatives with surprisingly positive results. I would go on to say that it can applied to make decisions about new projects, failing situations or diffcilut human situations. I would caution its application in terms of life or death decisions!

As internal auditors, risk managers and executives, decision-making process are an essential feature of our lives. Putting off decisions through lack of data is a common failure in business and human life for that matter. I am sure we all realise that this is just not good enough.

Try the “2:9” process and let me know how you get on.