Enable Decision Making

The management does not decide!

Typical frustration, isn't it? But most of the time, the non-decision-making is your responsibility, not the management's.

I can't decide in their place!

It depends...

Decide when it's your own call!

How many times have you asked for permission to the one who could say "no" to complain afterwards, rather than taking accountability and making the decision your own?

Help your management to decide!

You can't expect your management to know all the aspects of your situation - you havve to feed them for the decision-making process:

• Give enough information
• Do your homework by investigating possible options
• Make clear that you expect a decision

For this, I apply the SCORe approach:

1. Status Quo - What is the current situation (only facts, no interpretation or emotions)?
2. Challenges - Which issues do we already face today because of the situation? Which risks are identified? If we take no action, what will be the likely impact on the following... (productivity, finance, on-going projects, strategy)? How long can we keep the "do nothing" strategy?
3. Options - Describe the possible options with Pro’s & Con’s for each with impact on resources (business, budget, people, …)
4. Recommendation - What is your recommendation to the management and why?

Applying those steps will give the necessary information to the manager to decide.

And what if s/he does not? Ask which extra information you can provide to help for the decision to happen.