This is Part 1 of the Alternative Solutions section in the Decision Analysis unit. Part 2 deals with the evaluation of the listing in Part 1.
Excerpt from the Decision Analysis unit:
- Quantity and quality are the keys.
- The more alternatives - the better the quality of the final solution.
- Include combinations of separate solutions.
- For each alternative, list the advantages and disadvantage or other evaluative methods.
- Always include the important (oft forgotten) Do Nothing.
In this section you are listing all the possible solutions. The quality of your final decision increases in proportion to the exhaustive, comprehensive and creative variety of your alternatives.
Make your first alternative, "Do Nothing." It's quite easy to forget that this can be a viable option that should be considered. Writing it in at the outset is a safe reminder.
Retain in your final document all the feasible solutions you considered. This will be helpful when you are sharing the decision making process with others. It will show the thoroughness of your thought processes. Options that were tossed aside for various reasons can be placed in an appendix and cross-referenced with a note in this section.
Conduct a brainstorming session if appropriate. Full instructions on how to brainstorm can be found elsewhere (not on Uncle Max Says yet). Some of the directives are:
Consider such options such as combining, merging, dividing, adding, cancelling, eliminating, contracting out, third party consultation, word or image association.
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