Dear Respected Research Gate Members,
Decision making & problem solving is the compulsory routine activity for every professional. There are so many traditional and modern decision making & problem solving techniques. Please comment on the question to suggest the most effective decision making / problem solving techniques.
What are the most effective decision making / problem solving techniques?
Thanks & Regards
Hello Nagar,
All the multi-criteria tools are effective. However, their effectiveness depend on the type of problem that is being solved. For instance, axiomatic method is suitable when there are design requirements, while a fuzzy-based method is suitable for the analysis of linguistic data sets. However, TOPSIS and AHP have been widely used to address different problems.
Pyrolysis decomposition of plastics into paraffin to be used in house holds and the residue for surfacing roads and filling up pot holes and for making bricks to build houses and cycle tracks. Eventually plastics manufacture should be restricted in as we focus more on environmentally friendly and recyclable paper.
Problem solving and decision making are key facets of any successful day to day business/industrial operations. There are so many tools for solving problems. There are classical and global decision making or problem solving techniques. Research has shown that global or modern techniques seems to produce better solutions than classical or traditional techniques. It is generally inconclusive in literature if one global technique is better than the other.
The best decition those takes with the quite environment. The real life should take quick decitions. There are not always the best.
Many tools within lean management can reduce or remove problems likewise 5 why, 5M, brainstorming, visual management...
since almost any problem is characterized by many conflicting criteria, multi criteria decision making techniques (MCDM, also known as multi criteria decision analysis, or MCDA) are the most promising approaches. In particular, two paradigms are possible: 1)Multi Attribute Decision Making (MADM): these problems are assumed to have a predetermined , limited number of decision alternatives; or 2) Multi Objective Decision Making (MODM): the decision alternatives are not given. Instead the set of decision alternatives is explicitly defined by constraints using multiple objective programming. The number of potential decision alternatives may be large.
Among the MCDM techniques, the two most commonly adopted methods are Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), which is suitable when you need for a hierarchical definition of the problem, and particularly in case of group decision making processes, and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), which makes possible the analysis of heterogeneous parameters wothout the need for normalizing data.
Several other approaches are also possible (MAUT, Electre, Topsis, Prometee, ...), depending on the specific needs. I also suggest you to refer to the fuzzy versions of the models, since modern market are clearly affected by uncertainty, and fuzzy set theory well mimics the way of reasoning of humans (i..e, decision makers).
Anyhow, the above techniques are suitable when you have a centrilized decision making process. In my opinion other methods are to be preferred in other cases (e.g., Supply Chain Management involves different stakeholders, cooperating each other, but also in conflict since each of them tries to maximize its own profit, and as such game theory and bargaining game can be adopted to model their behaviour).
HI
i recommend the Apolo RCA methodology for complex problems. We have used that in several projects successfully. It is based on cause/effect chain with evidences. As simple as taht. It is extremely powerful, but needs to be trained to use it. IT tools are quite simple to use.
I would recommend the action learning developed by the World Institute for Action Learning (wial.org) which is a collaborative reflection method with a small group of diverse persons and short sessions . With my several years experience I can assert that it is a very effective and pleasant way to both solve quickly complex issues with very operational and pragmatic approach and at the some time contribute to develop the leadership competencies of the participants !
This is a growing area of research with new ideas and algorithms being added continually. There are already several techniques discussed in the answers above. I would add game-theoretic approaches for strategic issues and robust decision making for dealing with uncertainties, as two very powerful techniques. A systems approach is essential and an excellent introductory text on the topic is by Professor Hans Daellenbach (https://www.amazon.com/Systems-Decision-Making-Management-Approach/dp/0471950947)
If you know what to do it is a task. If you know the choices it is a decision. If you don't know exactly what you should do it is a problem.
Problems are commonly poorly defined and incomplete. It is helpful to externalize the question. What is it you are really trying to achieve, and what would a suitable solution look like? Actually writing something down is good. For a group, it is important to agree what the problem is. It may be necessary to find out some things in order to define it further, and individuals can work in parallel to save time.
Research has found that groups who were told to make a drawing or a diagram of the problem on average came to a solution more quickly than those who were not. Chemical engineers make block diagrams to show the essential parts of plant design. This can be applied to other problems where there is some complexity, e.g. a journey may have several parts: taxi to Leeds station, train to Manchester airport, flight to another country, travel to final destination. I could look at other airports and consider cost and convenience.
I personally like the 8D method of problem solving but there are plenty of other such as 5 Why and the utilisation of ishikawa diagrams. I’ve also utilised PPS method. Which stands for practical problem solving which utilises multiple methods captured on one easy to follow sheet.
imo, decision making & problem solving techniques is so problem dependent that it is impossible to answer this question. 5w is so qualitative, while math modeling techniques are quantitative. Each problem uses to have a better technique. If you set a technique, it will be great for some problems, but it will let you down in other cases. I think you will get better advice if you change this question for something like: Advice with decision making techniques for a list of problems (your usual problems).
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering