125
Step 4: Gather and Analyse the Relevant Facts Once the possible alternatives
have been generated, the next logical step is to gather data relating to each alternative. Data maybe collected from internal sources records available in the company or external sources. Analysis of data consists of combining or arranging the data in a form as to provide meaning or insight into the problem at hand. What resources will be available to help us solve the problem Managers will rarely get all the answers they need to such questions from one source. At some points, however, they should have enough information to be able to formulate possible solutions.
Step 5: Evaluate the Alternatives Once managers have developed a set of alternatives, they must evaluate them to see how effective each alternative will be in solving the problem. Effectiveness is determined on the basis of the decision criteria identified in Step 2. Based
on the information available, the questions to be asked are (i) how realistic the alternative is in terms of the goals and resources of the organization, and (ii) how well will the alternative help solve the problem. The alternatives must also be evaluated in terms of how well they would solve the must and should of the problem. Thereafter, the alternatives
are arranged in a hierarchy, which is from most desirable to least desirable. This process is called ranking.
Share with your friends: