The 8 types of decisions

What are the factors that help or discourage us from making a decision?

To live is to choose, is a constant change. In our daily lives, we are all used to having to make decisions on a myriad of issues that affect us.

From the most mundane decisions (what shirt I will wear today, what I will cook, what ingredients I want on my pizza...) to those of great importance (what car I will buy, what I want to be in life...), they all pass through the sieve of our emotions and our rational thinking.

Making good decisions: the key to success in life

Making good decisions is a real art, and there are many factors that influence us there are many factors that influence us when it comes to making a decision.. In general, the manuals indicate that good decisions are those that are made in a reflective and rational way, using an analytical style of thinking.

1. Rational decisions

For example, when buying a car, we would have to thoroughly compare the performance and prices of various models and brands, in order to reach certain conclusions about the suitability of each of the available options. They involve our analytical intelligence and makes us weigh the pros and cons of the decision we are about to make.

2. Emotional and intuitive decisions

Although it is true that when we rigorously analyze all the aspects to be taken into account we are more likely to reach better conclusions about which is the most suitable car, in reality not all decisions can be taken from this point of view. To a greater or lesser extent, all the decisions we make are influenced by a good dose of intuition, and mediated by our emotions..

Continuing with the example of the car, and although we are able to make a rational examination of the makes and models and our requirements for the car we want to buy, it is likely that we feel a certain predilection (perhaps unconscious) for some make or model over others, even if rationally there are not sufficient reasons for this to be the case. This is explained by heuristic thinking, and it is that human beings make decisions strongly influenced by our motivations and hidden desires. And this does not have to be negative! Maybe we will end up buying a car that from a purely rational point of view is not the most suitable, but if we are happier with that decision... who can conclude that we have done wrong?

In reality, the important point when we are considering whether to make one decision or another is, precisely, to bring out all our conscious and unconscious thoughts, from the most rational to the most intuitive and emotional, and find a satisfactory middle ground between both factors.

The other 6 types of decisions

The decisions we make, in addition to the above, can be classified according to different criteria, can be classified according to different criteria. In the following six points I will describe decisions from an organizational and business perspective.

According to the forecast

If we take into account the level of structuring and foresight with which we make them, we can speak of programmed and non-programmed decisions.

3. Planned decision

These decisions are previously described and established by some kind of more or less formal regulations more or less formal, and their execution is carried out on the basis of a chronogram. These are routine and strategic decisions that, in principle, are automatic and have immediate effect.

4. Non-programmed decisions

They are not programmed or described in any regulatory text.They occur as a result of the corporation's interaction with the human and institutional environment. They are usually spontaneous and tend to have a greater scope in time.

According to urgency

Taking into account the level of urgency with which decisions have to be made:

5. Routine decisions

When the circumstances are similar and the context is also similar, companies are likely to look for ways to establish certain recurring mechanisms for making decisions.When the circumstances are similar and the context is also similar, it is likely that companies will look for ways to establish certain recurring mechanisms for making decisions.

6. Emergency decisions

When the situation is unexpected and there are no precedentsWhen the situation is unexpected and unprecedented, companies must take special measures to adapt to the unfolding events.

Depending on the significance for the company

Companies must function properly in various areas: from daily routines to communication with other companies or with institutions. In this sense, we can divide decisions according to this factor.

7. Strategic

This type of decision They concern the company's objectives and try to translate these goals into specific development plans.. Usually, this type of decisions are the ones that guide corporations towards success or failure, since they mark the path to follow. These decisions are usually made by the CEO, the manager and/or the shareholders.

8. Operational

These are decisions essential for the proper functioning of the organization, and one of their missions is to and one of their missions is to resolve conflicts between people, both from a human and labor point of view. Its management must be careful as operational decisions also include determinations about hiring and firing.