DECISION MAKING TOOLS FOR GENIUS PERSONS

Cause and Effect Diagram

The Cause and Effect Diagram helps to determine all of the

causes that create an effect. It is also called the Ishikawa Diagram after
Kaoru Ishikawa who devised it or the Fishbone Diagram when examined
graphically. Categories of possible causes are selected on the basis of the
situation being analyzed, and these include
people, methods, information known, planning, or procedures. Templates are
available if you want to give this practical tool a try.

Force Field Analysis

Accel-team provides a brief description of when this tool would be

useful.

Kent State Universitys Ohio Literacy Resource Center describes

analysi force field
s.

Scatter Diagram

A Scatter Diagram is also known as Regression Analysis. The

basic question that this tool answers is whether or not there is a relationship
between variables. Although it doesnt prove that one variable causes the
other, it does indicate a relationship and its strength. Many statistics texts
that are geared to the social sciences include a chapter on scatter diagrams.
For a variety of citations see Google Scholar using the index terms scatter
diagram social sciences. Also check the Access Pennsylvania Database for
social sciences statistics textbooks.

Decision Tree

Skimming this should be sufficient to get an idea about the

concept.

Affinity Diagram

Affinity diagrams are helpful when you are dealing with large
groups of information that have not yet been categorized.

Appreciation
 First make a simple statement. Then figure out the implications.
How? By simply asking a question such as So what? Heres how Mind
tools describes this tool: Appreciation is a very simple but powerful
technique for extracting the maximum amount of information from a simple
fact.

SWOT Analysis

SWOT analyses are a staple of the business world. They enable

business
entities to understand their Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and
Threats. Such analyses drive businesses to strategically chart their business
direction more effectively as they cultivate the customer loyally that is
ultimately crucial to their bottom line.

Six Thinking Hats

Using this technique you can think outside of your normal pattern.
Mind Tools has a brief overview of this technique.

5-Finger Consensus
The 5-finger consensus is helpful as a time saving tool
and avoids needless discussion and helps to focus on those areas
where discussion is truly necessary.

Brain Storming

include keeping the size of brainstorming groups down to

between six and ten people, ensuring that the environment and atmosphere
of the meeting are relaxed, using techniques like random word or picture
generation to kick start the brainstorming process, and remembering to
keep a record of all of the suggestions made during the meeting.