What is Your Decisioning Pattern?

One of the best signs and predictors of a response or decision is the track record, pattern or history of the individual or entity. The commodities and futures markets live by the slogan “the trend is your friend.” We believe that this also applies to decisioning.

Consider:
One definition of “insanity:”

“Doing the same thing over and over today

and yet expecting a different result tomorrow”

Not sure about this as an absolute or its origins (ranging from Ben Franklin to Einstein), but this pattern would definitely be a source of disappointment. Key here is that unless you change the habit or pattern, you can probably predict frustration and/or indecision.

The best alternative may be a system or model.

Due Diligence (information intelligence):

Again, there should be a conscious and deliberate effort to identify, prove, qualify, quantify, guarantee, study, research, on and on. So, if the habit/trend lacks this stage, the result could prove to be shallow and suspect.

A model or system that requires due diligence as the beginning step would logically be a preferred alternative to a factually baseless (gut feeling only) approach.

“Garbage in…Garbage out:”

We have all heard this one for years. Point here is that not only should the first effort be intelligence, but it should be the accurate and factual intelligence that would lead to commitment. The test is that unless you are committed to the intelligence (not garbage), there is really no need to proceed.

A model or system that creates the confidence that leads to commitment is a good test of its value.

“By their fruit ye shall know them”

This is an age old verse that frames the decision maker…both good and bad. As stated, demonstrating the pattern of using reliable and effective decisioning tools will show consistent and well framed decisions (i.e. Good fruit).

In contrast, the habit of no path, pattern or methodology will generally yield inconsistent, unfounded and immature decisions (i.e. Bad fruit).

With this post as a backdrop, a model or system that has a proven track record and is easy to adopt, should be considered by anyone who has a mounting responsibility in decisioning.