Solving Complex Decision Problems

Making decisions is certainly the most important task managers are faced with, and it is often a very difficult one. This book offers a procedure for solving complex decision problems step by step. Unlike conventional practice, the book focuses on problem analysis, on developing solution options and on assessing them.

In this fifth edition of the book, the authors present simplified, actionable guidelines that can be easily applied to the individual steps in the heuristic procedure.

The book is intended for decision-makers at companies, non-profit organizations and in public administration whose work involves complex problems. It will also benefit students and participants in executive courses.

Offers executives an approach to solving complex problems systematically and successfully Focuses on analyzing the problem and on developing and assessing solution options Includes numerous examples

Autorentext

Prof. Dr. Rudolf Grünig is professor emeritus of Management at the University of Fribourg. He is board member and consultant of large and medium-sized Swiss companies. Additionally, he serves as a lecturer in strategy for executive courses and is an adjunct professor at the Swiss Finance Institute. From 2006 to 2009, he commanded an infantry brigade in the Swiss Army.

Late Prof. Dr. Richard Kühn was the founder and former director of the Institute for Marketing and Strategic Management at the University of Bern. He worked as member of the Board and business consultant for important Swiss companies. He is the author of numerous publications in marketing and strategic management.

Inhalt
Introduction.- Decision Problems and Decision-Making Procedures: Decision Problems.- Goal and Problem-Finding Systems as Requirements for the Discovery of Decision Problems.- Rational Problem-Solving.- Problem-Solving Procedure.- A General Heuristic Problem-Solving Procedure: Overview of the Problem-Solving Procedure.- Problem Verification and Analysis.- Developing and Evaluating Solution Options.- Overall Evaluation of the Options and Decision.- Special Problems and Approaches to Solve Them: Decision Sequences.- Collective Decisions.- Final Remarks.