Decision Making Aptitude basics, practice questions, answers and explanations

Introduction: Decision-Making is a process in which a final outcome is derived by evaluating and analysing the given data. The objective of Decision making is to reach a certain conclusion from the given information or a given set of conditions. Now go through given below example: Read the following situations and choose the best possible alternative. A database software manufacturing company found out that a product it has launched recently had a few bugs. The product has already been bought by more than a million customers. The company realized that bugs could cost its customers significantly. However if it informs the customers about the bug, it feared losing credibility. What would be the most ethical option for the company? (A) Apologize and fix up the bug for all customers even if it has to incur losses. (B) Do not tell customers about bugs and remove only when customers face problems, even if it means losses for the customers. (C) Keep silent and do nothing. (D) Keep silent but introduce an improved product that is bug free at the earliest. (E) Take the product off the market and apologize to customers. First thing to do is to read and understand the given data and fit it into a problem solving structure. Thus, the data given needs to be classified into

1- What is asked?
To choose the best possible alternative - Thus, multiple alternatives might be suitable to the situation at hand. One needs to choose the best possible alternative. This also means that there are no correct alternatives and thus postive (negative) marks allotted might vary with the alternative selected. This is different from a question where a definite answer exists, thus making all other alternatives incorrect.

2- What is given?
Database manufacturing company. Launched product has bugs. Product ownerd by million customers -> customers will incur significant costs due to the bug. Company perception of losing credibility if news of bug is made public.

What is asked?
To choose the most ethical option for the company from the alternatives provided.

Understanding what is given - Listing the entities in the problem

Company - entity that provides services in return for payment accepted. Customer - entity that procures services in return of payment made. Software - service/goods transacted between company and customer. Bug - error in software/service/good. The bug is not supposed to be in the software. The customer is entitled to error free/ quality product unless otherwise agreed upon (which is not mentioned in this case)

Listing problem solving objectives (parameters - need gap solution)

1. Company does not want to lose credibility: Find a solution where the credibility of the company is maintained or enhanced. 2. Company is not supposed to sell sub standard goods/services to customers, unless agreed upon. Customer is entitled to quality product unless agreed upon: Find a solution where the customer ends up with a quality product instead of the one with the bug. 3. The customer did not purchase the product to incur losses. Ethically, once the company has information that the customer might incur lossed by using the software with the bug, the customer needs to be informed so that they can make alternative arrangements, if requried, to minimize their losses: Find a solution where the customer is informed of the bug identified in the purchased software.

Evaluating answer choice fit to objectives (need gap solutions) identified.

1. Option A address all three of the need gap solutions identified. This option might have been less suitable if the comapany was unable to incur losses and would have shut down. But in this case thereisn othing said about the ability to incur losses. 2. Option B does not satisfy objectives 1 and 3 and partly satisfies 2. This would have been an attractive option if additional case data validated sale of sub-standard product, minimal or no support, all risk to the customer and company objective to minimize losses. 3. Option C does not satisfy all the three objectives identified. 4. Option D satisfies objective 2 partly and belatedly. It does not satisfy objectives 1 and 3. 5. Option E addresses objective 1 and 3 but fails to address objective 2.

Answer choice selection

Thus, the best alternative that meets the solution objectives is option A. Options ranked in terms of suitability (highest to lowest) - A, E, D, B, C 2. Read the following situations and choose the best possible alternative: You, a recruitment manager, are interviewing Mayank, a hard-working young man, who has problem in speaking fluent English. He has studied in vernacular medium school and colleges. Amongst the following options, what would you choose to do, if your company has vacancies? (A) I would hire him at all costs. (B) I would hire him for production or finance job but not for marketing job, which requires good communication skills. (C) I would ask him to improve his communication skills and come back again. (D) I would not hire him as he might be a burden on organization because of his poor communication skills. (E) I would hire him for the job he is good at, and provide training in other areas. First thing to do is to read and understand the given data and fit it into a problem solving structure. Thus, the data given needs to be classified into

What is asked?
Your choice regarding recruitment of Mayank.

What is given?
You are the recruitment manager. you are interviewing Mayank for a position to be filled. Mayank - candidate interviewing for employment with your organization. He is hard working. He has a problem communicating fluently in English. He has studied in vernacular medium school and colleges.

Understanding/ Listing ojectives and ethical actionables actions for each entity (role).
1. You - Recruitment Manager - To recruit the ideal/ most suitable candidate for the position at hand without any bias. To act in the best interest of the organization and the candidate. To ensure that the candidate's profile fits the requirements of the role under consideration. 2. Mayank - The Candidate - To portray his profile and qualities truthfully, so as to enable decision making by the organization and by himself about his profile fit for the role at hand. If Mayank's lack of fluency in English hinders his performance of the role under cosideration, then his candidature is not suitable for the role. If on the other hand, ability in English is not a factor in

efficient performance of the role under consideration, this aspect of Mayank's profile should not be considered or held against his candidature for the role. 3. Interview Process - Since the interview is happening, we can safely assume that Mayank has met the first level of requirement for the organization.

Evaluating answer choice fit to objectives and ethical actionables.

1. Option A does not base the selection decision on Mayank's profile suitability for the role at hand. Thus, if Option A is executed, then the organization might be employing a person unsuitable for the role, thus negatively affecting all parties involved. 2. Option B ensures matching of the candidate's profile with the role requirement. His profile strengths of ability of hard work will match the requirement of the roles in production or finance, whereas his lack of fluency in English will not hinder performance in such a role where good communication skills is not a major criteria. 3. Option C does not try to identify job roles which are suitable to Mayank's profile strength and weaknesses. Thus the organization might lose out on a valuable employee. 4. Option D again has similar drawbacks as Option C wherein there is no attempt to fit candidate's qualities with role requirements. Option C is still better than option D as the candidate is given another recruitment chance, post rectification of profile weaknesses. 5. Option E accomplishes the skills and role requirement fitment. It acts in the best interests of the organization. It also acts in the best interest of the candidate as it provides for means to enable the candidate to change weaknesses into strenghts.

Answer choice selection

Thus, the best alternative that meets the solution objectives is option E. Options ranked in terms of suitability (highest to lowest) - E, B, A, C, D

Exercise question
Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below: Following are the criteria required to be fulfilled, to gain admission into any intermediate college in Andhra Pradesh (A.P): a) The candidate should have scored at least 80% marks in SSC or 70% marks in CBSE. b) The candidate should have scored at least 60% marks in the entrance exam. c) The candidate should be a male and be at least 16 years old, as on 1st June, 2000. d) The candidate should be a resident of Andhra Pradesh (A.P.), i.e should have been born and

brought up in A.P. In case a condition given above is not satisfied, an alternate condition for the same is given as below: e) If condition (d) is violated, but at least one relative of the candidate is presently staying in Andhra Pradesh, for the last 5 years, then the candidate can be admitted. f) If condition (b) or (c) is violated, but not both, and the student has a good sports record, then he/she should be advised to approach the Principal. g) If both conditions (a) and (b) are violated, but the candidate is ready to donate Rs. 1, 00,000 to the college, then he advised to approach the Secretary. Now mark your answer as 1), if admission can be granted. 2), if admission cannot be granted. 3), if the Principal is to be approached. 4), if the Secretary of the school is to be approached. 5), if data is inadequate. The following cases are given to you as on 1st June, 2000. 1) Jahangir has applied for a college in A.P. He was born and brought up in Kerala. He was born in 1980 and has an excellent percentage of 95 in his SSC. He has done pretty well in the entrance test scoring 65%, and has a close relative working in A.P. for the past 10 years. 2) Rita was born in 1981 and has a very good academic record, with 90% in her CBSE. She has done her entrance test well by scoring 80%, and she is a resident of AP, where the college is also situated. She is a very good sports person and has represented the state for basketball. 3) Prakash is 17 years old and is a resident of A.P. where the college is located. He has scored 90% in the entrance test and 69% in SSC. 4) Ranga, a resident of state of A.P, is a gold medallist in swimming at National Games in the juniors category. He has applied with a percentage of 75% in the SSC, and a score of 55% in the

entrance exam. The college is in the same locality as his residence is. He was born on 16th July,1981. He is ready to give a donation of Rs.1,00,000. 5) Ram was born in 1980 and is a resident of A.P. He is the present TT Champion of India. He was presented a gold medal by the President of India in the National Games. He scored below 40% of marks in both SSC and the entrance exam. He is ready to give a donation upto Rs. 2 lakhs. 6) Rahim, applying for a college in the same state as he is in, has a bad academic record of 40% and 35% in CBSE and entrance exam respectively. He is able to pay a donation of Rs.1,00,000 to the college.

Answers:

1) In this case, condition (d) is violated, i.e. Jahangir is not a resident of A.P. Hence, his case is verified for the alternate condition (e). Since, a close relative of Jahangir has been staying in A.P. for the last 10 years (i.e. more than the required 5 years), Jahangir is selected. Options: 1), if admission can be granted. (Answer)

2), if admission cannot be granted. 3), if the Principal is to be approached. 4), if the Secretary of the school is to be approached. 5), if data is inadequate. 2) In this case, condition (c) is violated, i.e. Rita is a female. Then the alternate condition (f) is applied. As Rita has a good sports record (represented state in basketball), she should approach the Principal. Options: 1), if admission can be granted. 2), if admission cannot be granted. 3), if the Principal is to be approached.(Answer) 4), if the Secretary of the school is to be approached. 5), if data is inadequate. 3) In this case, condition (a) is violated. As there is no alternate condition given for violating condition (a) alone, admission cannot be granted to Prakash. Options: 1), if admission can be granted. 2), if admission cannot be granted.(Answer) 3), if the Principal is to be approached. 4), if the Secretary of the school is to be approached. 5), if data is inadequate. 4) In this case, both the conditions (a) and (b) are violated. Then, Rangas case is verified for the alternate condition (g). As Ranga is ready to pay a donation of Rs.1,00,000, he should be advised to approach the Secretary of the school. Options: 1), if admission can be granted.

2), if admission cannot be granted. 3), if the Principal is to be approached. 4), if the Secretary of the school is to be approached.(Answer) 5), if data is inadequate. 5) In this case, both the conditions (a) & (b) are violated. Hence, the alternate condition (g) is applied. As Ram is ready to pay a donation of more than Rs.one lakh. he should be to advised to approach the Secretary of the school. Options: 1), if admission can be granted. 2), if admission cannot be granted. 3), if the Principal is to be approached. 4), if the Secretary of the school is to be approached.(Answer) 5), if data is inadequate. 6) In this case both the conditions (a) and (b) are violated in lieu of which the alternate condition (g) is satisfied (i.e. Rahim can pay a donation of Rs.1,00,000). But, no information is available to check conditions (c) and (d), hence we cannot take a decision as the data is inadequate. Options: 1), if admission can be granted. 2), if admission cannot be granted. 3), if the Principal is to be approached. 4), if the Secretary of the school is to be approached. 5), if data is inadequate.(Answer)

Directions (Questions 1 to 10)

Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below it. Following are the criteria for allotment of residential accommodation by an organisation to its employees. The employee must: (1) have completed at least 10 years in this unit of organisation out of which at least 4 years in the supervisory cadre. (2) not have more than five members in the family. (3) have at least 5 years of service remaining, the retirement age being 58 years. (4) not have his/her own house. (5) not be staying in a house owned by his/her spouse. In the case of an employee who: (6) satisfies all other criteria except at (1) above and joined the organisation as a manager, should be referred to the Director, finance. (7) satisfies all other criteria except at (3) above at present working as a senior manager, is to be referred to the managing Director. (8) has been transferred from another city, the condition (1) may be waived. Based on the above criteria and on the basis of the indormation provided in case of each employee in each of the folwwoing questions, you have to decide whether or not, accommodation is to be provided or the case is to be referred to higher authority.You are nnot to assume anything. All the cases are presented before you as on 31st July 1996.

Mark answer

a - if the employee is to be provided with accommodation b -if the employee is not to be provided with accommodation c -if the complete information s regards all the above criteria are not provided in the question d -if the case is to be referred to the Director, Finance; e -if the case is to be referred to the Managing Director. Question : Deepak Aggarwal has joined the organisation four years back as an Officer.He stays with his wife and two children. Neither he nor his wife owns a house. A). a B). b Cc Dd Ee Answer: Option C Explanation: Condition 1 and 3 are missing 2. Vishal Kohli stays in a rented house with his wife and three children. His date of birth is 12th July, 1949.He has been working in the organisation for the last twelve years out of which five years as a Manager. Aa Bb Cc

Dd Ee Answer: Option C Explanation: condition 4 missing 3. Dev joined the organisation as manager in 1990 and was 30 years old as on 15th August, 1993. He has four members in his family. Neither he nor his wife owns a house. Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Answer: Option A Explanation: all conditions of eligibility are satisfied 4). sumit has recently been transferred from another office and was 53 years old as on 6th February 1996. He has been working in the organisation for the last twenty years out of which ten years as a manager. There are four members in his family. Neither he nor his wife owns a house. Aa Bb Cc Dd

Ee Answer: Option B Explanation: Having less than 5 years of service remaining the candidate does not satisfy condition 3 5. Sanjay has three members including himself in the family. Neither he nor his wife owns a house. He is a senior manager for the last four years and has been working in the organisation for the last twelve years. He will be retiring from the organisation in the year 2002. Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Answer: Option E Explanation: The candidate satisfies conditions 2,3 and 5 and condition 7 instead of 1 6. Geeta joined the organisation in 1979 when she was twenty-eight years old as an officer. She is unmarried and stays with her mother in a rented house. She does not own a house. Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee

Answer: Option A Explanation: All conditions of eligibility are stisfied. 7. Rakesh has been working in the organisation for the last eight years out of which five years as an officer. He was 52 years old as on 5th may 1994. He stays with his wife and one son. Neither he nor his wife owns a house. Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Answer: Option B Explanation: condition 1 and 3 are not satisfied 8. Madhu was promoted as a supervisor five years back after joining the organisation in 1983 as a clerk. She stays with her husband and two children in a rented house and she does not own any house. She was 42 years old as on 23rd April 1995. Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Answer: Option A

Explanation: All conditions of eligibility are satisfied. 9. Nikunj has been working in this unit for the last 15 years and has one son and two daughters along with his wife in the family. Neither he nor his wife owns a house. His date of birth is 12th January 1954. Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Answer: Option C Explanation: condition 1 is missing 10. Prathibha has been working in the organisation for the last ten years out of which five years as an officer. Her date of birth is 18th June 1944. She stays with her husband and three children. Neither she nor her husband owns a house. Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Answer: Option A Explanation: all conditions of eligibility are satisfied.