- Introduction to Methods of Decision Making
- 'Pros and Cons' and 'Weighted' Decision-Making Methods
- Pros and Cons' and Weighted Decision-Making Templates - Examples
- Complex Problems and Decisions - Tips
Introduction to Methods of Decision Making
Problem solving and decision-making are important skills for business, quality and life. Problem-solving often involves decision-making, and decision-making is especially important for management and leadership. Problem-solving and decision-making are closely linked, and each requires creativity in identifying and developing options, for which the brainstorming technique is particularly useful.
Good decision-making requires a mixture of skills: creative development and identification of options, clarity of judgement, firmness of decision, and effective implementation. For group problem-solving and decision-making, or when a consensus is required, workshops help, within which you can incorporate these tools and process as appropriate.
Decision-Making Process
- 1. Define and clarify the issue – does it warrant action? If so, now? Is the matter urgent, important or both.
- 2. Gather all the facts and understand their causes.
- 3. Think about or brainstorm possible options and solutions.
- 4. Consider and compare the ‘pros and cons’ of each option – consult others if necessary or useful – and for bigger complex decisions where there are several options, create a template which enables measurements according to different strategic factors.
- 5. Select the best option – avoid vagueness and weak compromises in trying to please everyone.
- 6. Explain your decision to those involved and affected, and follow up to ensure proper and effective implementation.
‘Pros and Cons’ and ‘Weighted’ Decision-Making Methods
A simple process for decision-making is to compile a ‘weighted’ scored, of ‘pros and cons’ list. Pro means ‘for’, and con means ‘against’ – i.e., advantages and disadvantages. For more complex decisions, several options can be assessed against differing significant criteria, or against a single set of important factors. In any case, factors/options can be weighted and scored appropriately. The ‘pros and cons’ method can be used especially for two-option problem-solving and decision-making issues where implications need to be understood and a decision has to be made in a measured objective sense.
Using a ‘weighted list’ scoring method is especially useful in big organizational or business decisions, especially which involve lots of different strategic considerations (as in SWOT and PEST and Porter’s Five Forces concept). In such situations you can assess different options according to a single set of criteria (the most important considerations), or you can allocate weighted/scored criteria differently to each option. Use the brainstorming process to identify and develop options for decision-making and problem-solving. If involving a group in the process then running a workshop is often a good approach.
- 1. First you will need a separate sheet for each identified option.
- 2. On each sheet write clearly the option concerned, and then beneath it the headings ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ (or ‘advantages’ and disadvantages’, or simply ‘for’ and ‘against’). Many decisions simply involve the choice of whether to go ahead or not, to change or not; in these cases you need only one sheet.
- 3. Then write down as many effects and implications of the particular option that you (and others if appropriate) can think of, placing each in the relevant column.
- 4. If helpful ‘weight’ each factor, by giving it a score out of three or five points (e.g., 5 being extremely significant, and 1 being of minor significance).
- 5. When you have listed all the points you can think of for the option concerned compare the number or total score of the items/effects/factors between the two columns.
- 6. This will provide a reflection and indications to the overall attractiveness and benefit of the option concerned. If you have scored each item you will actually be able to arrive at a total score, being the difference between the pros and cons column totals. The bigger the difference between the total pros and total cons then the more attractive the option is.
- 7. If you have a number of options and have complete a pros and cons sheet for each option, compare the attractiveness-points difference between pros and cons – for each option. The biggest positive difference between pros and cons is the most attractive option.
- 8. N.B. If you don’t like the answer that the decision-making sheet(s) reflect back to you, it means you haven’t included all the cons – especially the emotional ones, or you haven’t scored the factors consistently, sore – visit the sheet(s) concerned. Using a scoring template also allows for the involvement and contribution of other people, far more objectively, controllably and usefully, than by general discussion without a measurement framework.
Pros and Cons and Weighted Decision-Making Templates - Examples
This simple example below enables the weighting of the pros and cons of buying a new car to replace an old car. The methodology is easily adapted for more complex decisions, such as in business strategy and consideration of more complex factors. Decision-making criteria depend on your own personal situations and preferences. Criteria and weighting will change according to time, situation, etc. Your own mood and feelings can also affect how you assess things, which is additional justification for the need of a measurable and robust method. In bigger strategic business decision-making, it is often beneficial to seek input from others as to factors and weighting scores. In such situations, a template offers a way for people to contribute in a managed structured way.
The main template question can be whatever suits your purposes – it can be about timing, where, who, how, and is not necessarily restricted to two columns. The same methodology can be used to compare a series of several options. For more complex situations, especially which entail many more rows and columns, it’s sensible to use a spreadsheet. Use whatever scoring method makes good sense to you for your situation. The example shows a low score method, but you can score each item up to 10, or 20 or 100, or an ‘A/B/C’ or three-star scoring method – whatever works best for you.
Should I replace my old car with a new one?
| Pros (for - advantages) | Score | Cons (against - disadvantages) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Better comfort | 3 | Cost outlay will mean making sacrifices | 5 |
| Lower fuel costs | 3 | Higher insurance | 3 |
| Lower servicing costs | 4 | Time and hassle to choose and buy it | 2 |
| Better for family use | 3 | Disposal or sale of old car | 2 |
| Better reliability | 5 | Big decisions like this scare and upset me | 4 |
| It’ll be a load off my mind | 2 | ||
| Total 6 pros | 20 | Total 5 cons | 16 |
In the above example, on the basis of the pros and cons and the weighting applied, there seems to be a clear overall quantifiable advantage in the decision to go ahead and buy a new car. Notice that with this decision-making method it’s even possible to include ‘intangible’ emotional issues in the pros and cons comparison, for example ‘it’ll be a load off my mind’, and ‘decisions scare and upset me’.
A decision-making pros and cons list like this helps remove the emotion which blocks clear thinking and decision-making. It enables objectivity and measurement, rather than reacting from instinct, or avoiding the issue altogether. Objective measurement helps in making a confident decision. The total weighted scores are the main deciding factor rather than the total number of pros and cons, although there is not a scientific ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to consider the total number of pros and cons compared with the total weighted scores.
If the weighted scores are indicating a decision which makes you feel uncomfortable, then check your weightings, and also check that you’ve not missed out any factors on either side of the table. If the decision makes you feel uncomfortable and this is not reflected in the table, then add it as a factor and give it a score. Seeking feedback or input from a trusted neutral friend, colleague can be helpful in confirming your factors and their scores.
Complex Problems and Decisions – Tips
For complex decisions and problems involving more than two possible options you can use a template with additional columns, in which case each column represents a different option, and the rows enable scoring according to the different weighted strategic considerations. Or establish a single set of criteria across which to score several different options. So, in using more than one two columns you can assess options according to: differing weighted criteria for each of the options, or a single set of criteria.
Choose the method(s) which offer you the easiest approach, given the types of options available, and whether you are involving other people in the process.
Where a team of people, or different departments, are involved in the decision-making of lots of options/variations within a big complex situation, it can be useful to delegate the formulation of different two-column ‘pros and cons’ templates to different teams/people, and this can be a powerful aid to subsequent group discussions.
This enables options to be eliminated and filtered and a shortlist of fewer options to be established. In complex situations the wording of the options is important.
Also consider that some decisions and challenges are difficult because you don’t have the necessary knowledge or experience, in which case you need first to decide if the decision or challenge is actually appropriate and necessary for you at this stage. If you don’t have the necessary knowledge or experience to
compile a decision-making template, then you are not in a good position to make the decision, and you need to bring in the necessary knowledge and experience.
Some decisions must be made even when you feel unprepared, lack experience, or are operating with incomplete information. In such cases, acknowledge the uncertainty and mitigate risk where possible:
- Gather external input: Consult mentors, colleagues, or experts who bring perspective and knowledge you lack.
- Break down the decision: Segment the issue into smaller, more manageable parts and address what you can, step by step.
- Use time wisely: If the decision is not urgent, take time to learn more. Delay can be a useful tool when used strategically.
- Build contingency plans: Prepare fallback options if the decision doesn’t yield the desired outcome.
- Stay flexible: Be willing to revise your decision as new information becomes available.
Confidence in decision-making doesn’t always mean certainty; often, it’s about clarity in process and readiness to adapt. Even imperfect decisions can lead to growth, as long as they’re made consciously and reviewed thoughtfully.
Download our e-book
Download our free e-book to discover how GQ Interim can transform your business with expert leadership solutions!
Conclusion
Whether in personal life, business strategy, or team leadership, decision-making is a process that benefits greatly from structure, creativity, and reflection. The use of tools like pros and cons lists, weighted scoring, and collaborative templates enables a shift from reactive, emotional choices to deliberate, informed actions. These methods don’t just help arrive at better decisions — they also instill greater confidence in the journey and outcome.
In a fast-moving world filled with complexity and competing priorities, honing your decision-making process can be one of the most powerful skills you develop. It’s not about always choosing the perfect path, but about making the best possible choice with the information and tools you have — and learning along the way.
Interested in Interim Expert?
Discover how interim management can dramatically increase the efficiency of your business. Get in touch with our team to learn how working with GQ Interim will improve your company.
- Get started within few days
- Database of 10 000+ consultants
- Solving crucial problems of your business
- Custom solutions for your business needs
- Proven results with measurable impact
Related articles
- Decision matrix, also called pugh matrix, decision grid, selection matrix or grid, problem matrix, problem selection matrix, opportunity analysis, solution matrix, criteria rating form, criteria-based matrix, evaluates and prioritizes a list of options. The team first establishes a list of weighted criteria and then evaluates each option against those criteria. It's a variation of the L-shaped matrix.
- Multivoting is a decision-making tool used to narrow a large list of options to top priorities via ranked voting. Ideal after brainstorming, it ensures group consensus. Members assign weighted votes to choices, followed by tallying and possible discussion or revote.
- Effective problem solving starts with clearly defining the issue, involving stakeholders, and using facts to uncover root causes. This guide outlines four essential steps—from diagnosing the problem to implementing and monitoring solutions—for lasting, impactful change.
- Problem-solving and decision-making are vital, interconnected skills that require creativity, clear judgment, and strong execution—especially useful in group settings through workshops and brainstorming.
