Knowledge-based decision making

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Knowledge-based decision making (KBDM) in management is a decision-making process which process involves an agreed criterion, which is used to measure and ensure that the most suitable outcome can be generated for a specific topic. This process is used as a guideline to make the most effective and strategic decision as it establishes a thought process, reasoning behind a decision but also collects vital background essentials to together to increase understanding about a topic or agreed criteria.

Video Knowledge-based decision making

Key elements

• Open communication between leadership and membership consists of being able to demonstrate face-to-face dialogue, exchanging information, experiences and facts to one another; each party takes turns to listen and respects what others have to say. The initiation of regular dialogue and communication between individuals in respects to a specified topic.
• Dialogue before deliberation - "I must consider all the facts and examine the possible consequences". Dialogue before deliberations suggests to communicating prior to demonstrating actions. The relevance to KBDC is, background information about the selected topic has to be gathered preliminary to a meeting or discussion information founded beforehand is made available to all the decision makers before a meeting is arranged. The storage location of materials and sources are mutual, meaning all decision maker's involved have equal access to files. During the duration of the discussion period, background information and facts are evaluated and discussed among the decision maker's. In reasoning, members can use this time as an opportunity to ask questions and queries about the specified topic, during this time responses can be made accordingly and appropriately. The overall purpose of the meetings are to discuss the background information as well as ensuring each decision makers question have been answered via face to face contact.
• All decision makers have common access to information - All information involved in the KBDM process must be distributed equally to all decision makers and the sources should be in a mutual location to ensure the same grounds for each decision- maker. It is important that of the information provided to the decision makers are of the same version and has the same content.
• We exist in a culture of trust - 'Culture' is based on the characteristics and behaviour among a particular group of individuals. Corresponding to this, knowledge-based decision making tries to focus on functioning within an environment and surroundings with a variety of components, including respecting one another's decisions and listening to each other. These factors link to culture as they can contribute to how an individual feels within the environment, whether this is positive or negative reducing the amount of fear and pressure put on individuals if they make a mistake. If individuals feel as though they need advice, the culture can assist individuals, as it would be normal to help each other, be reassuring as well as encouraging. In contrast, not having a culture of trust can increase the level of risk when making decisions, as individuals may take advantage of situations and be non-supportive or unwilling to give advice.

Advantages

Open communication

• Contributes to increased relevant overall knowledge and understanding about the topic, doing this can limit both confusion and misunderstandings.

Dialogue Before deliberation

• Provides opportunity for decision maker's to prepare by viewing background information founded, this can generate a better understanding of the topic involved.
• Decision makers prepared for discussion as they have the chance to generate questions and identification of specific aspects of the findings and information they want to discuss or develop on.
• Decision maker's gaining a clearer and rounded understanding of the topic beforehand from background information provided.
• Gives clear direction of conversation

All decision makers have common access to information

• Having information published in one location it can contribute to ease of access, but also ensures availability, so if any of the decision makers wanted to view information before a meeting they would be able to do this efficiently and effectively.
• Publishing information beforehand allows members to have a sufficient time period to become informed about present content provided, generate further questions and express opinions about the matter in order to reach the most suitable outcome.

We exist in a culture of trust

• Helping, advising and supporting one another.
• Working towards the same goals, group effort.
• Authority isn't a large factor, the content of the information to make an informed decision is most import.
• Group members are more likely to support decision made due to the contribution.

Disadvantages

Open communication

• There is always a chance that some decision makers will not communicate effectively, so confusion can always occur.
• Miscommunication between individuals due to different perceptions.

Dialogue Before deliberation

• Some individuals may not have read the background information thus not understand the direction of conversation.
• Background information provided may be hard to understand thus impact preparation time.
• Unexpected issues will constantly arise.

All decision makers have common access to information

• Technology could be a barrier, information stored on a computer based system maybe lost.
• Background information can soon be out-dated.

We exist in a culture of trust

• New decision makers may not fully understand the culture of the environment.

Maps Knowledge-based decision making

Process

The process is composed of six main components:

1. A topic is specified
2. Relevant background information and key facts are identified and gathered in relation to the specified topic. This information is then located in a mutual location, which can be sourced by all decision makers. At this stage decision makers may add to any outstanding information.
3. The background information present is analysed using a set criteria or a set of questions by the decision makers, during this stage questions can queries are created.
4. A discussion occurs between all decision makers, questions and queries are discussed during this stage. Concerns and opinions are also stated during this stage.
5. From the discussions and information gather a summary is made. The purpose of the summary is to clearly outline key factors that are most relevant to the specified topic.
6. The results and findings from the analysis are discussed among decision makers as a group in order to ensure that the best possible outcome can be made strategically.

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Purpose

• The KBDM process allows the main focus and emphasis to be on the actual decision and reasoning, not the people who make the decision, so authority is not a major factor.
• KBDM is considered a process. Within processes there are structures in place, structures can allow methodical approaches to occur and therefore indicates a starting point when making vital decisions. From this KBDM to be used as an indicator and standard guideline in which can be applied to decision- making situations.
• During the beginning of the process relevant information is gathered so that overall decision can be based on background information and factual knowledge. By researching background information it can assist the focus levels in the topic particular area. The structure present enables the thought process of a decision to be specified and states the reasons behind a decision, so if an issue does occur with the overall outcome the thought process can be evaluated thoroughly.
• In association with business, the KBDM process can give companies or organisations a competitive advantage, create common grounds and gain understanding of others within the same sector due to the structured format. The structure supports and is suited to assist long- term planning and strategic decision-making. At the beginning of the process key background information is assembled to increase the amount of knowledge and understanding each individual decision maker has about the topic, vital aspects of information will also be included. The research and information founded is put into a mutual location to provide equal grounds in terms of knowledge before a discussion occurs, this give time for questions to be established. From the KBDM process a decision can be made based on facts, understanding and suitable reasoning from discussions to conclude the most appropriate decision.

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Questions

During the third stage of the process background information is measured against a set of questions. These questions are answered and then used to contribute to the overall decision made.

Questions that are used to measure information include:

1. What do we currently know about the needs, wants and preferences of our members that relates to this discussion?
2. What do we know about both our resources and strategic position that is relevant to this issue?
3. What do we know about the current environment and culture that relates to this issue?
4. What are the (ethical) implications of our choice (pros and cons)?
5. What do we not know about this issue that we wish we knew?
6. How do Al-Anon's legacies apply to this issue?
7. What is your part in the process?

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See also

• Management
• Enterprise resource planning
• Evidence-based policy
• Knowledge society
• Online participation
• Crowdsourcing

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References

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External links

• Brown, Jim (January 9, 2013). "The Business Value of Knowledge Enabled Decision Making". QSR Magazine. Retrieved April 3, 2013. 

Source of the article : Wikipedia