Decision Making an Art or Science?

Decision Making is the essence of management. Every manager’s performance is judged by the
outcomes of those decisions taken by him. Managers at all levels and in all areas of organisations
make decisions. Decision making is a part of all managerial functions. Therefore, when a
manager plan, organize, lead and control is called as decision maker.
Decision making is a process and not just a simple act of choosing among alternatives. Most
decision-making is routine. It is art as well as science.
Science of Decision Making:
Science of decision making includes both quantitative and qualitative decision-making
techniques. Quantitative decision-making tools are applied for recurring situations and
mathematical and statistical tools are applied to make decision. Qualitative decisions- making
tools are applied for those situations which are not recurring in nature.
Some of the quantitative decision-making tools are Linear Programming, Game Theory,
Queueing Theory, Simulation, Pay Off Matrix, Decision Tree and PERT & CPM. The qualitative
decision-making includes Brain Storming, Nominal Group Technique, Delphi Technique and
Quality Circle.
Art of Decision Making:
The science of decision making provides various tools to the manager to make decision. But to
choose a right tool the manager needs the skill, competency, judgement and experience.
Therefore, the art of decision-making enables the manger to get the desired outcome.
1.The Rationality and Decision Making:
A manger’s decision-making should be rational. He should make logical and consistent choices
to maximise value. Decisions are made in the best interests of the organisations.
2. Intuition and Decision Making:
Some managers use their intuition while making decisions. Intuitive-decision making is making
decisions based on experience, feelings, and accumulated judgements. What is intuition?
Managers make decisions based on their past experiences, based on feelings or emotions, based
on skills, knowledge and training, based on ethical values or culture and they use data from
subconscious mind to help them make decisions. A manager generally adopts intuitive-decision
making when the situation is uncertain. Here the choice of alternative is influenced by
availability of limited information and by the psychological orientation of the decision maker.
Decision making is both art and science. But to get a desired outcome the following
characteristics are inevitable.
Effective Decision-Making Process:
1. It should focus on What is important
2. It should be logical and consistent
3. It should acknowledge both subjective and objective thinking and blends both analytical
and intuitive approaches.
4. It requires adequate information to resolve a problem.
5. It should encourage and guide gathering relevant information and informed opinions.
6. It should be reliable, easy to use and flexible.
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