You’re a Research Management leader. How can you develop your decision-making skills?

1 Understand your decision context

Before you make a decision, you need to understand the context and the factors that influence it. What is the purpose and the goal of your decision? What are the constraints and the risks? Who are the stakeholders and how will they be affected? How urgent and important is the decision? By answering these questions, you can define the scope and the criteria of your decision, and avoid unnecessary or irrelevant information.

2 Gather and analyze relevant data

To make informed and evidence-based decisions, you need to gather and analyze relevant data from various sources. You can use different methods and tools to collect and organize data, such as surveys, interviews, experiments, databases, or software. You also need to evaluate the quality and reliability of the data, and identify any gaps, biases, or assumptions. You can use analytical techniques, such as statistics, graphs, models, or frameworks, to interpret and visualize the data, and find patterns, trends, or insights.

3 Generate and compare alternatives

Based on the data and the criteria, you need to generate and compare different alternatives for your decision. You can use creative thinking techniques, such as brainstorming, mind mapping, or scenario planning, to generate as many options as possible, and avoid jumping to conclusions. You also need to compare the pros and cons of each alternative, and weigh them against the criteria. You can use decision-making tools, such as matrices, charts, or trees, to rank and score the alternatives, and see the trade-offs and implications.

4 Choose and communicate your decision

After you have evaluated the alternatives, you need to choose and communicate your decision. You should choose the alternative that best meets the criteria and the goal, and aligns with your values and vision. You should also communicate your decision clearly and confidently to your team and other stakeholders, and explain the rationale and the evidence behind it. You should also solicit feedback and address any questions or concerns that may arise.

5 Implement and monitor your decision

Finally, you need to implement and monitor your decision. You should create an action plan that outlines the steps, resources, roles, and timelines for executing your decision. You should also monitor the progress and the outcomes of your decision, and measure the impact and the results. You should use indicators, such as metrics, indicators, or feedback, to track and evaluate the performance and the effectiveness of your decision. You should also be ready to adapt and adjust your decision if needed, based on new data or changing circumstances.