Why Decision Making is the Most Critical Step in Planning

Decision making as key step in planning 

Planning and decision-making are the most important managerial functions, and there are many relations between
them, Decision-making is a part of planning. Planning is the process of selecting a
future course of action, where Decision-making means selecting a course of action. 

Decision-making is defined as the process by which different possible solutions or alternatives are identified and the
most feasible solution or course of action is finalized. It is an integral part of planning. 

Decision-making results in
selecting the right action among different available options.
It is also one of the important management functions and effective decision-making leads to fulfilling expected goals
by sorting out different problems related to such decisions. Decision-making is also a time-bound process and
eliminates confusions to reach a conclusion. 

 Relation Between Planning and Decision-Making

 Both planning and decision-making are connected to each other. These are the most important aspects of
management functions. Planning requires a series of decisions to be incorporated in advance. The foundation of
planning is decision-making. The role of a planner demands good decision-making abilities also as the planner has to
take a lot of decisions simultaneously

 Simultaneous and a
number of decisions make a plan. In the absence of decision-making, it’s not possible to answer what, how, when,
and who is planning gonna be done. To execute planned activities, decision-making is compulsory. 

Different characteristics of decision-making: 

1. Process-oriented

 Decision-making consists of a process to choose the best solution to a problem among available alternatives. The
process includes identifying and analyzing problems, collecting different facts and figures, finding different solutions,
and, finally, narrowing down and implementing the best one to meet organizational goals. 

2. Demands creativity and Intellectual mind 

Decision-making process requires creativity and logical thinking. It demands a lot of mental exercise and other
components, i.e. education, experience level, intelligence, etc. 

3. Demonstrates commitment 

Decision-making process ensures better results based on the decisions made. So, it indicates the commitment of
desired results. It requires joint efforts of the team. 

4. Ensures the best solution 

Decision-making also provides the best solution to any problem as the best solution is decided after evaluating
different available alternatives.

 5. Impacts of decision-making

Decision-making can be either positive or negative. A positive or right decision can bring positive results and negative
or wrong decisions can bring negative results. 

6. Decision-making is a final process 

After disbursing different activities and tasks, decision-making takes place to get the results of the work done. It is the
end result of discussions, comparisons, etc. 

7. An ongoing and changing process 

Organizations take decisions on a regular basis; so, decision-making is a continuous process. Every decision
consists of separate situations that make decision-making a changing process.