Group Decision Making Process

Group Decision Making Process

Introduction

Working within a group of people is one of the most dynamic experiences that a person could go through in his/her life. A person gets to meet people who are entirely different and belong to multiple fields of specialties. Moreover, one of the most special experiences of working within a group is going through the process when a decision is being made. The reason behind this is that group decisions are entirely different in comparison to an individual's decision.

There is a whole sequential process going on and it just makes an employee feel special when the dynamics of diverse people within the group link together and become a joint decision. In order to better understand about the process of group decision making and its relevant advantages and disadvantages; an in depth discussion regarding the relevant factors is required.

Discussion

Group Decision Making Process

Decision regarding any choice is a difficult activity for a group. The basic reason behind this is that the different members within the group have their own mindsets and think in their own special ways. In order to simplify the probably friction that could result due to conflicts and quarrelling thoughts; a decision making process has been identified.

The following steps sequentially take place within a group whenever any decision is required to be made:

Problem or Opportunity Definition

This is the first and foremost step whenever a decision is to be made within a group. In this step, the group works for gathering relevant information about the highlighted problem or possible opportunity for which the decision is required. Moreover, all the other steps are dependent entirely upon this first step. Moreover, it is extremely necessary that the group members should focus on the causes of the problem instead of the symptoms (Robbins, 2001).

For instance, let's consider a group has available capital to be invested within the market but does not know where to exactly invest.

Alternative Analysis

In the second step of the decision making process, different alternatives are analyzed on the basis of their associated costs and benefits. Moreover, every alternative is required to be evaluated in detail so that not even a minute piece of information is missed out (Cassidy, 1999). Continuing with the above example, the group members would start evaluating different stock markets and corporations for investment based upon the profit percentages proposed by them.

Alternative Selection

After the best alternative has been finalized, the group finally decides about which corporation it would be where investment is made. However, at this step of the decision making process one common problem that arises within the group is relative to who will make the final decision and who has the authority to make it. Let's consider it is found that ABC Corp. is the best alternative for investment in this case.

Moreover, one of the most known problems at this stage is relevant to Lack-of-Operation Error which occurs because key members of the group have not been included into the decision making process.

The Implementation Point

Finally the chosen course of action ...