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Problem Solving Topic Problem Solving Part-3

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Problem Solving Part-3

Who is an Effective Decision Maker?
Think of someone you know who seems to be a born decision maker. What makes him or her effective? Most likely :

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1.He or she makes decisions with competence and confidence.

2.Most of his or her decisions work out right.

But what is underlying that decision-making skill? Research has shown that effective decision makers share several attributes.

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Attributes of an Effective Decision Maker

Effective decision makers tend to have the following attributes: Knowledge: The most important requirement for making sound decisions is a deep understanding of all factors. The soundness of the decision depends on how informed the decision maker is.

Initiative: Effective decision makers assume responsibility for beginning the decision-making process and seeing it through. They take an active part in making things better.
Current condition: Good decision makers consider current conditions and take advantage of opportunities that exist at the time. Flexibility Effective decision makers remain open-minded about new concepts and ideas. They are willing to change course or try a different approach if better results seem likely..

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Self-knowledge: Good decision makers know their own abilities, biases, and limitations.

In addition, smart decision makers will begin with a review of the information at hand (e.g., the EOP, SOPs, etc.) because, if the planning process is complete, many common situations will have been anticipated, and procedures for what to do in those situations will be in place. Advice-seeking: Good decision makers know that they need help from others. They identify people who can make specific contributions to the decision-making process and ask them for their advice and counsel.
Selectivity: Effective decision makers seek pertinent data. They avoid getting bogged down by extraneous facts and figures. Comprehensiveness On the other hand, they look at all available options and consider every possible alternative so as to make the best choice

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Good judgment: Sound decisions will not always result from merely following procedures. Decision makers must exercise their best judgment in considering factors particular to the situation.

Calculated risk-taking: The risks and results of various alternatives must be weighed and the consequences accepted, whether positive or negative.

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Ethical Administrative Decision Making

In simple terms, ethics refer to standards of behavior that tells us how human beings should act in many situations in which they find themselves-as children, as friends, as businessman, as teachers, professionals, administrators, as countryman, as world citizen etc. As an administrator you would be put in situations where you would have take decisions based on ethics. We all act ethically when we act according to our best. Our best is conditioned by our image of an ethical community, an ethical business, an ethical society, an ethical government or ethical administration.

Ethics is a set of standards that guides our behavior, both as individuals and as members of organizations. The ethical principles are simple standards of right and wrong that we learn as children, such as being honest and fair and treating others with respect

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An Ethical Decision-Making Model

1.Clarify

(a)Determine precisely what must be decided.

(b)Formulate and devise the full range of alternatives. (c)Eliminate patently impractical, illegal and improper alternatives. (d)Force yourself to develop at least three ethically justifiable options. (e)Examine each option to determine which ethical principles and values are involved.

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2.Decide (a)Make a judgment about what is not true and what consequences are most likely to occur.

(b) Evaluate the viable alternatives according to personal conscience.

(c)Prioritize the values so that you can choose which values to advance and which to subordinate.

(d) Determine who will be helped the most and harmed the least.

(e)Consider the worst case scenario.

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(f)Consider whether ethically questionable conduct can be avoided by changing goals or methods, or by getting consent. (g)Apply three ethics guides. Are you treating others as you would want to be treated? Would you be comfortable if your reasoning and decision were to be publicized?

Would you be comfortable if your children were observing you?

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3.Implement. (a)Develop a plan of how to implement the decision. (b)Maximize the benefits and minimize the costs and risks. 4.Evaluate (a)If any of the options requires the sacrifice of any ethical principle, evaluate the facts and assumptions carefully. (b)Distinguish solid facts from beliefs, desires, theories, suppositions, unsupported conclusions, opinions, and rationalizations. (c)Consider the credibility of sources, especially when they are selfinterested, ideological or biased. (d)With regard to each alternative, carefully consider the benefits, burdens and risks to each stockholder.

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5.Monitor and modify.

(a)Monitor the effects of decisions.

(b)Be prepared and willing to revise a plan, or take a different course of action.

(c)Adjust to new information.

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Ethical Donts The following donts address specific ethical challenges in a crisis or emergency situation.

1.Using inside information gained through your position to benefit you and/or your family.

2.Using agency t me or property (e.g., a phone or car) for personal reasons.

3.Using your official position or accepting compensation to endorse a product.

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4.Dont exceed your authority or make promises. 5.Dont use your position to seek personal gain. Examples of seeking personal gain would include

6.Soliciting gifts.

7.Making official decisions that benefit you financially.

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Avoid even the appearance of ethical violations. Take the extra step of making sure that your actions (even if they are above-boar(d) could not be seen as unethical. Think about how your actions would read on the front page of the newspaper.

Ethical Dos
Keep these dos in mind

1.Put forth an honest effort, in everything even remotely connected to your official position.

2.Protect and conserve agency property. This standard applies both to your actions and to the actions that you should take if you observe fraud, waste, or abuse.

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3. Act impartially Do not show favoritism to one group (e.g., victims or contractors) over another. Two aids in acting impartially include making sure that all affected parties have full disclosure, and seeking prior authorization before taking action.

4.Place the law and ethical principles above private vain.

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Ethical Issues and Emergencies

Decisions that seem simple or routine in a day-to-day context may become difficult and have serious ethical implications during an emergency Furthermore, a poor decision with ethical implications can escalate an emergency into an unmanageable situation as the emergency response progresses, as the following scenarios illustrate.

Case Study* : Ethical Issues and Emergencies

Goods Train Derailment On January 17, 2011 at around midnight, a goods train carrying more than 250 tonnes of liquid propane (HIGHLY INFLAMABLE) derailed on Moghulsarai-Gaya Section of Grand Chord Delhi-Howrah route and began to burn.

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*The names of some of places and other recognized symbols could be fictitious and resemblances to events already occurred or occurring to the situations described here are only coincidental. This is just an academic reconstruction.

Upon arriving at the scene and conducting an initial size-up of impending catastrophe, the Local Disater Cell Head ordered an immediate evacuation of the people in adjoining villages of the railway track, telling the people to expect the evacuation to be completed in not more than 2 or 3 hours.

As the expected evacuation period was short, some people evacuated without their belongings and the cattle. Electricity was turned off in the entire area. After 4 hours, the Disaster Cell Head, in consultation with army officials and chemical experts from IT BHU, determined that the evacuation should continue until the fire had completely burnt out.

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What are the ethical issues involved in this situation ?

Answers: There are several ethical considerations in this

scenario. Some of these are 1.Did the Disaster Cell Head do the right thing by ordering an immediate evacuation? Or 2.Should he have waited for more information before issuing the order? 3.What should the citizens be told about how long they will be out of their homes? 4.Given the current level of risk, can the Disaster Cell Head ethically allow them to return for their cattle and other belongings?

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