The purpose of this page is twofold. First of all, it has a (long!) list of examples of decision making models that you can find elsewhere on the site and it also links you directly to those pages.
Secondly, it briefly explains the different categories from which these examples of decision making models are taken so that you know what kind of examples you'll be looking at.
These are by far and away the most common and when many people think of decision making, they typically consider some kind of rational model. The general idea here is to weigh up the pros and cons, and work out the most sensible, logical option. There are usually a series of steps involved and these are done one after the other.
These models often involve plugging information into a graph or chart. This information usually includes facts as well as assumptions. And the scoring method is designed to produce the optimal decision.
You'll find links to many examples of decision making models of the rational type below.
The second main category are the intuitive models. These models do not depend on reason and logic. The choice is reached usually by an intuitive 'knowing' of what the best answer is. People talk about 'feeling it in their gut', 'listening to their heart' and receiving visions or hearing voices.
Other methods of decision making such as astrology, crystals, tarot cards, a roll of the dice, could also be considered to be intuitive models. They are not based on reason and rationality, rather they are tapping into some inner wisdom.
And of course, there are combinations of the above. Gary Klein's recognition primed decision making model uses the information in the environment and the inner senses in a very particular way. He believes that we naturally make up to 95% of our decisions this way.
A further refinement of his model, is the decision making model put forward in this website. A good place to start to read more about this is in how to make a decision.
Now to the other examples of decision making models.
A T chart is a simple list of pros and cons with total scores indicating the best option. PMI is an addition to this with an 'interesting' column for things that don't immediately go into the plus or minus category.
Decision matrix grids (also known as Pugh Matrix) are more complex examples of decision making models where the various options are rated against the important criteria in the decision. Try an online model here.
To explain decision trees, a picture definitely paints a thousand words. You can see those thousand words here!
I mentioned that rational models have various numbers of steps, all the way up to 10 steps. Examples of decision making models with multiple steps are the 6 step decision model and the 7 step decision making model.
The Vroom-Jago decision model is a model used by leaders to determine how much and what kind of input their subordinates should have in a decision.
And just to round out this list of examples of decision making models, you can read about rule-based decision tools, decision rings, and decision making style and examples, too.
I warned you about the list!
And last but not least, if you want a decision making model that allows you to quickly and easily make decisions based on your experiences, that you use 90% of the time anyway, read about this natural decision making model here...