The Project Manager's Guide to Making Successful Decisions

CHAPTER 6

Framing the Decision

A decision frame is a decision aid that can be used while making a decision to capture important information, and it presents a snapshot view of critical elements the project manager should consider in making a decision. A decision frame defines the context for the decision and the elements (alternatives, objectives, uncertainties) that are part of the decision situation. Most decisions made by people are based on a few seconds (or less) of thought. The idea of creating a conscious decision frame or documenting the decision frame for most decisions is not even an afterthought. For those decisions that can be scrutinized by management, auditors, an Inspector General, regulators, or a court, however, it is becoming ...