The 8 types of decisions

The 8 types of decisions

To live is to choose, is a constant change . In our daily lives, we are all used to having to make decisions about a multitude of issues that affect us.

From the most mundane decisions (what shirt I will wear today, what I will cook, what ingredients I want on my pizza…) to those of great importance (what car I will buy, what I want to be in life…), all of them pass through the sieve of our emotions and our rational thinking .

Making good decisions: the great key to success in life

Making good decisions is a real art and there are many factors that influence us when making a decision . In general, the manuals indicate that good decisions are those made in a reflective and rational way, using an analytical thinking style.

1. Rational decisions

For example, when buying a car, we would have to thoroughly compare the performance and prices of various models and makes, in order to reach certain conclusions about the suitability of each of the available options. It involves our analytical intelligence and makes us weigh the pros and cons of the decision we are about to make.

2. Emotional and intuitive decisions

Although it is true that when we rigorously analyse all the aspects to be taken into account we are more likely to reach better conclusions about which is the most suitable car, in reality not all the decisions can be taken from this perspective. To a greater or lesser extent, all the decisions we make are influenced by a good dose of intuition, and mediated by our emotions .

Continuing with the example of the car, and even if we are able to make a rational examination of the makes and models and of our demands on the car we want to acquire, it is likely that we will feel a certain predilection (perhaps unconscious) for some make or model over others, and even if rationally there are not sufficient reasons for this to be so. This is explained by heuristic thinking, and it is that we humans make decisions that are highly influenced by our motivations and hidden desires, and this does not have to be negative! We may end up buying a car that from a purely rational point of view is not the most suitable, but if we are happier with that decision… who can conclude that we have done wrong?

In fact, the important point when we are considering whether to make one decision or another is precisely to bring out all our conscious and unconscious thoughts, from the most rational to the most intuitive and emotional, and to find a satisfactory middle point between the two factors .

The other 6 types of decisions

The decisions we make, in addition to the above, can be classified according to different criteria . In the following six points I will describe the decisions from the organizational and business perspective.

According to the forecast

If we take into account the level of structuring and foresight with which we make them, we can talk about programmed and non-programmed decisions .

3. Scheduled decision

These decisions are previously described and established by some kind of more or less formal regulations , and their execution is carried out on the basis of a schedule. They are routine and strategic decisions that, in principle, are automatic and have immediate effect.

4. Unscheduled decision

They are not programmed or described in any normative text , and happen as a result of the interaction of the corporation with the human and institutional environment. They are usually spontaneous and tend to have a greater scope in time.

According to the urgency

Taking into account the level of urgency with which decisions have to be taken:

5. Routine decisions

When the circumstances are similar and the context is also similar , it is likely that companies will look for ways to establish certain recurrent mechanisms to make decisions.

6. Emergency decisions

When the situation is unexpected and unprecedented , companies must take special measures to adapt to the development of events.

According to the importance for the company

Companies must function properly in various areas: from daily routines to communication with other companies or institutions. In this sense, we can divide decisions according to this factor.

7. Strategic

This type of decision inquires about the objectives of the company and tries to convey these goals to specific development plans . Usually, these types of decisions are the ones that guide the corporations towards success or failure, since they mark the path to follow. These decisions are usually made by the CEO, the manager and/or the shareholders.

8. Operations

They are decisions that are essential for the proper functioning of the organization and one of its missions is to resolve conflicts between people, both from a human and a work point of view. Their management must be careful since operational decisions also include determinations about hiring and firing.

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