Can decision making skills be improved?

Innocencia Ndembera
3 min readFeb 4, 2023

Decision making is a big part of our everyday lives, and it’s all about making choices — from small personal ones to big business decisions. It’s about taking a good look at all the information available, weighing the ups and downs of each option, and then making a choice based on thoughtful consideration and good judgement.

And if you’re in the tech industry, being a pro at decision making can really give you an edge. In this fast-paced, always-changing world, having the right decision making skills can help you tackle all the challenges that come your way. From finding the right balance between trade-offs to making decisions with limited information, to leading a team, having strong decision making skills can be a real game-changer in this exciting field.

Don’t worry if you’re not a natural at decision making! We all have to start somewhere, and the great news is that with a little bit of practice and the right techniques, anyone can get better. So why not take a step today and give yourself the best chance for success in tech?

One of the first steps to improving decision making skills is to understand your own tendencies and decision-making style. For example, some people make decisions quickly, while others prefer to take their time and weigh all the options. Understanding your style can help you recognize areas where you might need to improve.

Another key aspect of effective decision making is gathering and analyzing information. This means taking the time to gather relevant information, considering different perspectives, and weighing the pros and cons of each option. Having a clear understanding of the situation and all the options available can help you make a more informed decision.

Developing a list of criteria can also be helpful in improving decision making skills. Establishing clear criteria for evaluating options and using them to compare alternatives can help you make more objective decisions and avoid being swayed by emotions or personal biases.

In addition to considering your own perspective, it is also important to seek input from others. Talking to trusted individuals and getting their perspectives, as well as asking for their advice, can provide a fresh perspective and new ideas that you may not have considered.

Taking calculated risks is also a part of effective decision making. Don’t be afraid to make decisions, even if they involve risks, as long as you have considered the potential outcomes. Sometimes, taking risks can lead to greater rewards and opportunities for growth.

Finally, continuously reflecting and learning from past decisions is an important aspect of improving decision making skills. After making a decision, take time to reflect on the process and what you can learn from it for future decision making.

There are also several techniques that can be used to improve decision making skills. Some of these include:

  1. SWOT Analysis: This is a useful tool for analyzing a situation and identifying the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) related to each option.
  2. 2. Cost-Benefit Analysis: This involves weighing the costs and benefits of each option to determine which one is the most advantageous.
  3. Pareto Analysis: This is a prioritization technique that helps you focus on the most important factors and make decisions based on their impact.
  4. 3. Brainstorming: This technique involves gathering a group of people and generating a list of possible solutions or options. It can lead to creative and innovative ideas.
  5. 4. Pros and Cons List: This involves making a list of the benefits and drawbacks of each option and comparing them to determine the best choice.
  6. 5. Force Field Analysis: This is a decision-making tool that helps you evaluate the factors supporting and opposing a change, and determine the best course of action.
  7. 6. Decision Matrix: This involves creating a matrix that assigns scores to each option based on a set of criteria, and helps you determine the best choice based on these scores.
  8. 7. Divide and conquer: This technique involves breaking down a complex decision into smaller, more manageable parts, and making decisions on each part separately before combining them into a final decision.

By using these techniques and others, you can become more structured and systematic in your decision making, reducing the risk of making poor decisions, and increasing the likelihood

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Innocencia Ndembera

As a software engineer and enthusiast, I share personal reflections and explore industry trends. Join me on this journey!