Strategy
Decision Making
Plain English
Choosing what to do next.
Definition
Decision making is the glossaryProcessA process is a defined sequence of steps used to achieve a specific outcome.Open glossary term of selecting the best course of action from available options based on information, goals, and glossaryConstraintsConstraints are limitations or restrictions that impact how a product or solution can be designed or built.Open glossary term.
In practice
Used across product, design, and business to choose what to glossaryBuildA build is the process of compiling and packaging code into a runnable application.Open glossary term, prioritise, or change, often informed by glossaryDataData is raw, uninterpreted information collected and stored so it can be analysed, processed, or used to inform decisions. On its own it carries no meaning; context and interpretation are what make it useful.Open glossary term, serviceUser ResearchUnderstand user behaviour, validate ideas, and make clearer product decisions with evidence you can act on.Open service, and stakeholder input.
In context
Recording who decides which class of question saves more time than any glossaryFrameworkA framework is a structured set of tools and conventions used to build applications more efficiently.Open glossary term. Most delay is not disagreement, it is nobody being sure they are allowed to choose.
The reality
Most decisions are made with incomplete glossaryDataData is raw, uninterpreted information collected and stored so it can be analysed, processed, or used to inform decisions. On its own it carries no meaning; context and interpretation are what make it useful.Open glossary term and are influenced by time pressure, opinion, or glossaryHierarchyHierarchy is the organisation of elements to show importance and guide user attention.Open glossary term rather than pure evidence.
Compared with
Decision Making vs Consensus
Consensus seeks agreement from everyone before proceeding. Decision making assigns the choice to someone accountable, after input. Consensus feels safer and is how organisations slow to a stop.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.
What is decision making in product development?
It is the glossaryProcessA process is a defined sequence of steps used to achieve a specific outcome.Open glossary term of choosing what to glossaryBuildA build is the process of compiling and packaging code into a runnable application.Open glossary term or change based on glossaryDataData is raw, uninterpreted information collected and stored so it can be analysed, processed, or used to inform decisions. On its own it carries no meaning; context and interpretation are what make it useful.Open glossary term, goals, and constraints.
How do teams make better decisions?
By using glossaryDataData is raw, uninterpreted information collected and stored so it can be analysed, processed, or used to inform decisions. On its own it carries no meaning; context and interpretation are what make it useful.Open glossary term, serviceUser ResearchUnderstand user behaviour, validate ideas, and make clearer product decisions with evidence you can act on.Open service, and clear objectives rather than relying on opinion.
Why is decision making difficult?
Because information is often incomplete and glossaryStakeholderA stakeholder is any individual or group with an interest in a product, project, or outcome, including internal teams and external parties.Open glossary term have different priorities.
What improves decision making?
glossaryClarityClarity is how easily users can understand what is happening and what they need to do.Open glossary term of goals, access to glossaryDataData is raw, uninterpreted information collected and stored so it can be analysed, processed, or used to inform decisions. On its own it carries no meaning; context and interpretation are what make it useful.Open glossary term, and glossaryAlignmentAlignment is a shared understanding of goals and priorities across teams and stakeholders, strong enough that people act consistently without checking first. It is not the same thing as everyone agreeing.Open glossary term across teams.
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