TABLE OF CONTENTS Decision-making is a daily affair for project managers and functional managers. Understanding decisions and the decision-making process is important to assure the best courses of action are selected with the information available. Following a rigorous process of sorting through the alternatives gives the best chance for a successful project
A decision entails the act and process of selection of a course of action leading to desired objectives and goals. In the management of projects, decisions have to be made and implemented. The decision process in project management involves: first, the act of selecting a course of action regarding the commitment of project resources, and second, the use of resources through a strategy to accomplish project objectives and goals. Some additional basic notions about the decision context of project management include:
A decision removes the uncertainty on how the resources will be committed and used in the furtherance of project purposes.
All decisions involve risk and uncertainty.
Adequate information is required to make decisions on a project, but at some point it becomes necessary to cut off the gathering of information, and move ahead with making a decision.
A project manager must have the knowledge, skills and attitude to make a decision on behalf of the project and the organization to which the project belongs.
Decision making in the matrix organization can require extraordinary patience since consensus of the team members should be sought as well as advice from...
