Rationale

“Decision making can be a complex process, and it always involves some uncertainty. It often involves multiple types and sources of inputs, as well as their interpretation, which can be subjective. It is important to understand cause-and-effect relationships and potential unintended consequences. Facts, evidence and data analysis lead to greater objectivity and confidence in decision making.”

Explanation

You need to have the evidence if you are going to make the right decision. How many times have you seen people jump to conclusions and take action without getting the true evidence of a situation.

It is often very simple to get the relevant required information but people still resist doing so! You must use the evidence, combined with experience and a little intuition this is the best way to make decisions!

The organization should base their decisions on process performance data generated by the management system, includes audit data, customer complaints and nonconformity data as inputs to decision making.

Effective decisions are based on the analysis of data and information. It means that managers make a decision on basis of various measurements within the management system.

What about conditions related to the successful implementation of this principle? That means the organization must develop and perform such activities as:

• Training of people in order to correct performing the measurements and data analysis,
• Collection of all data from processes needed for analysis and decisions making,
• Making data accessible to whose functions (persons); throughout the organization that really need it, and
• Systematic analysis of data and information using valid methods for trends and data projections learning.

Owing to this principle will make the organization reach higher level of decisions makings objectivity and transparency which can influence the employees positive motivation and trust.

Applying the principle of evidence-based decision making typically leads to these actions;

• Determining, measuring and monitoring key indicators to demonstrate the organization’s performance.
• Ensuring that data and information are sufficiently accurate, reliable, and secure.
• Making data accessible to those who need it.
• Analyzing and evaluating data and information using valid methods.
• Ensuring people are competent to analyse and evaluate data as needed.
• Making decisions and taking action based on evidence analysis, balanced with experience and intuition.

The Key Benefits

• Improved decision-making processes
• Improved assessment of process performance and ability to achieve objectives
• Improved operational effectiveness and efficiency
• Increased ability to review, challenge and change opinions and decisions
• Increased ability to demonstrate the effectiveness of past decisions

Check out the Quality Management Principle #7 in the next article ……

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