Question

What are the keys to getting commitment to action from the decision-board participants in the six-step process?

Answer 1

The six steps typically include-

1. Problem awareness - knowing the basis for the activity
2. Problem diagnosis - knowing what exactly to decide about
3. Decision making - who to involve, what to decide, when to decide, how to decide, implications, risks, pros and cons etc.
4. Decision taking - Commitment to the choices made so far
5. Action - making things happen
6. Learning - from each step of the process and from the results derived.

To move from Commitment to Action you need to first ensure that a strong commitment exists. Half-hearted commitments or meeting standstills are no good to motivate action - because people are uncertain about what's needed of them overall. A strong commitment requires proper problem recognition, it’s appropriate framing and a sound decision-making procedures. In other words, every decision maker needs to be on the same page to motivate and prompt sure action. Hence, the key lies in strategic communication (predetermined participants, appropriate research, logical procedures, and perfectly organised schedules), stakeholder management tactics, ambiguity management strategies, consensual decisions, clarity of required actions (developed after controlling for execution risks) and delineation of expected results and success measurements.