How to Give a Decision Briefing - Part 2

Submitted by mauzenne on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 03:41.
in

In this cast, we conclude our conversation on giving a decision briefing to your manager.

  1. Use The Career Tools Decision Brief Model: SOCRR
  2. Situation
  3. Options
  4. Comparison
  5. Recommendation
  6. Request
  7. Always Consider Two Hidden Factors: Time and Risk
  8. Use SOCRR Always – Longer or Shorter, Versus Important Enough or Not
  9. Effective Decision Briefs Are Virtually ALWAYS Pre-Wired


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coombes's picture
Submitted by coombes on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 13:38.

No BLUF?

Thanks for another excellent podcast. I can see that this is a tool I'm going to keep coming back to again and again.

Many of the previous recommendations you've made feature the idea of BLUF (bottom line up front). I realize that this isn't something that you've featured in this podcast.

Is this a situation where we shouldn't start the presentation by saying "this is the recommendation I'm going to make"?

michaelclaw's picture
Submitted by michaelclaw on Fri, 04/09/2010 - 14:51.

Just used this for the first time and....

SUCCESS! Not only did I get a "Yes" response but I got it back almost immediately with the following note attached at the bottom:

"Thanks Michael. This is a great analysis and makes clear to me both the need and the recommendation. Let's do it."

Thank you very much Mark and Mike and Wendii too!

M

xcelerator's picture
Submitted by xcelerator on Wed, 04/21/2010 - 19:53.

Does it meet the Drucker test?

Superb cast, great details but I felt something was missing. I propose adding a last step. Following the decision request, establish who will do what by when to implement the decision. Even if you get a "we'll get back on this" someone still is on the hook for taking action.

As two smart podcasters -- and one management genius -- have emphasized before, don't confuse 'choosing' with 'deciding'.

- xcelerator

Lpaine's picture
Submitted by Lpaine on Thu, 05/20/2010 - 21:43.

Decision Briefing

This is great!  My team is seeing how they can us this for many different things--from dealing with me to the city council.

They are excited because I am excited.  We have fire station capacity issues.  We will be using this with the council.

The "do nothing" discussion is priceless.  During a 1:1 listened to a discussion of water treatment and the need for a piece of analytical equipment to help manage the treatment process.  When I heard "if we do nothing..."  I was all over describing the model to the director.

Yes, Mark & MIke, this will be one of the most valuable pieces you have produced and will be listened to for a very long time.

Larry Paine
City Administrator
Hillsboro, KS