Decision Dynamics

Decisions cause change and change is usually dynamic. It results in other happenings and consequences. In other words, whenever we make a decision we release new developments. Few if any decisions result in finality or are there many decisions without costs and consequences. They may be small and appear inconsequential, but their effect nevertheless affects other developments. We often make decisions to solve or resolve a particular issue or problem without considering the consequences beyond the immediate problem being addressed or solved. It does not matter if the decision results in a social, physical, economic or other change, there are always consequences and it is important for decision makers to look beyond solving the immediate problem and recognize as well as consider the consequences. These may not affect the decision-maker directly or in a reasonable time, but their effect may still be important and ultimately affect the value or cost of the decisions.

We often reduce costs and benefits of decisions to those directly or immediately impacted but ignore the chain of events that are affected or even triggered by the decision with consequential costs and benefits including impacts on customer satisfaction. This approach is often taken as an easy way to solve a problem, as we are most often only responsible for get credit for the immediate or direct consequences of the decision and not the array of indirect effects and their costs or benefits.