Choosing by Advantages Decision-Making System
Contents |
Summary/Abstract
This article aims to provide a deeper insight into the Choosing by Advantages Decision-Making System. The model described in this article is a collaborative and transparent decision making system developed by Jim Suhr in 1999.
The basis for the whole methodology relies on providing assistance to simplify the decision-making process. With this tool, decision-makers can reach consensus, focus on outcomes, and understand all of the factors considered during the decision-making process.[1] For instance, it is useful to apply the CBA system in situations where it is complex to have a clear visualization of the proper decision to take. It must be mentioned that decision-making often involves the decision-makers' personal interests, intuitions and emotions, which can sometimes lead to a domination of the personal interests among the rational decisions. [2]
In order to assess this issue, multiple tools can be used to facilitate the decision-making procedure. The main objective of this technique is to apply this type of methodology in any case that involves making an important decision. This means that it is suitable for either big or small companies, as it supports sound decision-making by using comparisons among advantages of the diverse alternatives. Furthermore, the CBA system involves a multiple step procedure that aims to facilitate the implementation of the tool. The first step involves defining the existing issues, the second one aims to identify the alternatives, the third one describes the advantages of each alternative, the fourth involves reviewing the decision and the last one consists on executing the implementation. [3] The implementation of these steps is flexible, meaning that can be removed or combined depending on the situation they are applied. Furthermore, it must be highlighted that the decision-making techniques such as the CBA not just evaluate the advantages, but also can be useful to identify and assess the possible risk of each alternative. As a result, decision-making techniques can help prioritize risk response strategies. [4]
Introduction
The Choosing by Advantages methodology is a tool used in the decision-making stage. This stage is included in a selection phase where it is made transparent what are the option to choose from, how are they evaluated and how a decision for one solution is reached. The selection is then divided into two different but correlated parts; the "evaluation" and the "decision". With this, it is intended to prepare the decision by gathering all the relevant information involved so that the actual decision can be taken. [5]
Definition of the methodology
Steps
In order to apply this decision-making methodology, it is important to facilitate to all the people involved in the procedure useful training or mentoring to ensure that the implementation of the tool is as simple and efficient as it is supposed to be. To confirm that the whole process is covered, the CBA process is described. This procedure involves a five-step criteria where the tool is divided into five stages. [6]
1. Stage Setting Phase. The first stage focuses on defining the objective and identifying the issues.
2. Innovation Phase. In the second step it is intended to recognize the alternatives in order to evaluate or determine the main differences between each of them.
3. Decision Making Phase. The third phase provides a list of the main advantages of each option in order to decide which alternative has the most beneficial outcome. This step is prior to the consideration the implication of the resources for each of the options.
4. Reconsideration Phase. The fourth stage basically involves reviewing the draft decision, so that all the options have been properly evaluated prior to committing to the final choice.
5. Implementation Phase. The last step assesses what to do in order to apply the final decision.
By splitting the methodology in these five steps it is assured a successful implementation of the Choosing By Advantages system. It is crucial to perform a correct identification stage in order to assess all the possible alternatives and their advantages. For this reason, the third step can be considered as one of the most important phases of the whole process.
Application
Limitations
References
Lean Construction Institute; "Choosing by Advantages" (Visited on 12/02/21). https://www.leanconstruction.org/media/docs/chapterpdf/israel/Choosing_by_Advantages.pdf
Züst & Troxler: "No more Muddeling Through: Mastering complex projects in engineering and management" (Visited on 12/02/21). https://findit.dtu.dk/en/catalog/2305335675
Jim Suhr: "The choosing by Advantages Decisionmaking System" (Visited on 16/02/21). https://books.google.dk/books?id=TulbgUyU2GsC&printsec=frontcover&hl=es#v=onepage&q&f=false
"Project Management: A guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge" (PMBOK guide) 6th Edition. (Visited on 12/02/21). https://app-knovel-com.proxy.findit.dtu.dk/web/view/khtml/show.v/rcid:kpGPMBKP02/cid:kt011DXLA1/viewerType:khtml//root_slug:11122-data-analysis/url_slug:project-ri-data-analysis?kpromoter=federation&b-toc-cid=kpGPMBKP02&b-toc-root-slug=&b-toc-url-slug=project-ri-data-analysis&b-toc-title=Guide%20to%20the%20Project%20Management%20Body%20of%20Knowledge%20(PMBOK®%20Guide)%20(6th%20Edition)&page=60&view=collapsed&zoom=1
Alan Mossman, Feb 2012: "The Change Business" (Visited on 16/02/21). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264829796_Choosing_By_Advantages
