7 critical questions to ask

Asking Good Questions is a Primary Tool to Obtain Data We Need for effective Decision-making in a Timely Manner. Here Are Seven Critical Questions to Ask

1. Why are we making this decision — and why now? What problem are we wanting to solve? Is it actually the real problem — or is there a greater problem we are ignoring?
2. What are the key risks in making this decision? What is the impact on our future — what good can come out of it? What is the worst that could happen if we do not decide and act? What if our decision is good, but we fail to implement it well?
3. When must this decision be made? What if we wait a quarter to deal with this? What are the key milestones for the decision and its implementation? Can our decision-making process be made shorter and simpler?
4. Who is driving the decision-making process and who is involved in making the decision? What is the makeup of the decision team? Who is the ultimate decider? What politics are involved that could skew the decision?
5. Who is responsible and accountable for the implementation? How will progress be communicated? What are the milestones, and what would trigger a stop? What will we learn from this decision and implementation?
6. Who else has had to make this kind of decision? How did it work for them — success, failure, and results? Why? Should we reach for outside help with our decision? Who?
7. What are we pretending not to know? Is there more information that we are not dealing with? Is there a hidden flaw? Why did we not act before now? What lesson are we learning?