What is the difference between decision making and problem solving? Briefly describe the steps involved in decision making and in problem solving.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Problem solving begins with decision making. Decision making is a process that takes place in three stages: intelligence, design, and choice. Problem solving includes and goes beyond decision making to include implementation and monitoring.

Here is a brief description of the decision making process:
Intelligence stage: Problems and opportunities are identified and defined.
Design stage: Alternative solutions to the problem are developed.
Choice stage: A course of action is selected.

Problem solving adds these two additional steps:
Implementation stage: Action is taken to put the solution into effect.
Monitoring stage: The decision makers evaluate the implementation of the solution to determine whether the anticipated results were achieved and to modify the process in light of new information learned during the implementation stage.