MDQ STEP FOUR AND FIVE: DECISION MATRICES AND FINAL DECISION

The purpose of Week 7’s Brainstorming Discussions is to Evaluate and Make the Decision by comparing the alternatives based on the objectives. This process is achieved in Step Four by creating two decision matrices – unweighted and weighted. Step Five involves Assessing the Decision Process, which is where the manager will state the final decision and how it fulfills PPO’s objectives by examining the MDQ process in how that final decision was derived.

1. By WEDNESDAY, complete the following:

• All conclusions, justifications, reasonings, and explanations must be supported with course material in the form of APA in-text citations (page/paragraph numbers required) and a reference list.
• Explain the purpose in using decision matrices in Step Four of the MDQ.
• Use a scale of 0 – 3 to rate the first decision matrix. 0 being does not meet the objective well to 3 being meets the objective well.
• The decision matrices must have the four objectives and four alternatives from the previous week’s discussions.
• Post the first decision matrix in the text box (unweighted). Do NOT use attachments. Explain WHY and HOW the manager derived the ranking of the objectives and alternatives (each of the individual numbers) in the first matrix. Note: Watch the video in the course material for instructions on how to complete the matrices AND Example using MDQ: Which House Do We Purchase?
• Use weights that total to 100% for the second decision matrix.
• Post the second decision matrix in the text box (weighted). Explain WHY and HOW the manager derived each of the weights for the objectives.
• Based on the results of the Decision Matrices, evaluate and analyze all of PPO’s alternatives and objectives.
• State the final decision by explaining and justifying it with the numbers in the matrix. The final decision is based on the matrices!
• Discuss Step Five: The Final Decision. Explain HOW the final decision (chosen alternative) fulfilled PPO’s objectives.

2. THROUGHOUT the week, complete the following:

• Read your classmates’ post and provide constructive feedback four or more days throughout the week.

3. FINAL POST, complete the following:

• Attach your final post in the classroom by Sunday 11:59 PM ET
• The final post must reflect the brainstorming activities and should be different than the Wednesday initial post.
• The final post must include a variety of sources from the class material as well as the use of scenario or case study facts where appropriate.

Reference:

Measuring Decision Effectiveness

Three Steps to Building a Decision Matrix

Evaluating the Alternatives Applying Sound Reasoning Episode 15