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It really is as simple as that. Hours of agonizing over decisions are usu-
ally unnecessary if you ask – and answer – that right question.

General questions for decision-makers

n How are we doing?
n Is making this decision the best use of my time just now?
n What would happen if I did nothing?
n Should I be making the decision or should I delegate it?
n If I delegate it am I prepared to live with the result?
n Why is the decision necessary just now?
n Is this a unique decision or will it have to be made periodically?
n Should I be teaching others the basis of my decision-making in

order to be able to delegate in future?
n What benefits should the organization get from this decision?
n How does this decision fit with the values expressed in the

mission?
n What are the undesirable consequences that I need to guard

against?
n What will it cost?
n What are the alternatives?
n What will each cost?
n What is the most important consequence that I am seeking?
n How should this decision affect all stakeholders? (Employees,

suppliers, distributors, customers, stockholders and the society in
which we operate.)
n How do I feel about this?
n What is my gut telling me?
Effective decision-making is easy if, and only if, you know what you
want. There is some wisdom in using a technique that implies that you
spend your time thinking about what you want, the alternatives that could
give you what you want and then make the actual decision virtually
automatic. That way you consistently get most of what you want with the
minimum of effort.

128 Key management questions