THE DECISION LADDER
is a framework that describes the process of making a decision, from gathering information to taking action. The five steps in the decision ladder are:
- Systems: This is the foundation of the decision ladder, and refers to the tools, processes, and systems that are in place to collect and store data. This includes things like data management systems, reporting tools, and other technologies that are used to gather and store information.
- Visibility: Once data has been collected, the next step is to make it visible. This means creating reports, dashboards, and other visualizations that make it easy to understand and analyze the information. This step is important because it helps decision-makers identify patterns, trends, and other insights that may not be immediately obvious.
- Insights: With the information made visible, the next step is to generate insights. This involves analyzing the data and using it to identify opportunities, risks, and other key factors that may impact the decision. This step is critical because it helps decision-makers understand the context in which they are making their decisions.
- Direction: With insights in hand, the next step is to establish direction. This means setting goals and objectives and determining the best course of action to achieve them. This step is important because it helps decision-makers stay focused and aligned with their overall strategy.
- Decision: With direction established, the final step is to make a decision. This step is where the rubber meets the road, and is where the decision-maker chooses a course of action and implements it.
The decision ladder is a useful framework for understanding the decision-making process and for identifying areas where improvements can be made. It emphasizes the importance of having the right systems in place to collect data, make data visible, generate insights, set direction, and make a decision.