Decision-Making Techniques
Methods used to choose a specific course of action from several available options.
Key Points
- Provides structured ways to pick among alternatives using defined criteria or rules.
- Common approaches include multicriteria decision analysis (weighted scoring), decision trees, voting (unanimity, majority, plurality), and cost-benefit analysis.
- Helps balance scope, cost, schedule, quality, risk, and stakeholder priorities.
- Improves transparency and traceability by documenting how and why the choice was made.
Example
A project team must select a vendor. They define criteria (cost 40%, security 30%, performance 20%, support 10%), score each bidder, calculate weighted totals, and choose the highest-scoring vendor. The scoring model and results are recorded to justify the decision.
PMP Example Question
While planning procurement, the team uses a weighted scoring model with cost, technical capability, and schedule to select among three sellers. This is an example of which tool or technique?
- Expert judgment
- Decision-making techniques
- Data gathering
- Make-or-buy analysis
Correct Answer: B — Decision-making techniques
Explanation: A weighted scoring model is a form of multicriteria decision analysis, which falls under decision-making techniques used to choose among alternatives.
