What are the best tools or methods to gather relevant data for your decisions?

I love to start thinking outside of the box when a challenge arises. I plant the challenge in the middle of a paper and start to branch off possible solutions around the challenge in a “creative circle”. I then rank the possible solutions with a ranking of easiest to implement to intense to implement. I immediately start with the simplest solution and build or start over with another choice. The main point of this example is to just take the next step. Don’t be afraid to make a decision and have to pull back 5 minutes later. That’s the whole point because with every mistake you make, you are inching closer to the solution!

I think it is important to define the problem as recommended here. I think it also important to let all stakeholders especially those working on the solution, know that definition do everyone is on the same page.

Also important to let stakeholders know what these sources are. It would be wise too, especially when using secondary sources, to check their reputation for being credible.

This is one of my favorite parts of a challenge arising because I am invited to interview and receive opinions of a new possible solution. I like receiving pros and cons because this gives me perspectives that I may have overlooked when implementing a process. The main point of this example is to be open to ideas from others and to be flexible with additions or subtractions to your new process.

I do believe in the idea of data driven decision making. I also like to use data to tell a story. Story telling helps paint an easily understood picture of the data.

I think presenting the data with the graphs and spread sheets is only half the battle. Taking that data and wrapping a narrative summary, explanation and interpretation around it, is equally important.