Question 1

After identifying a problem, the next step in the decision-making process is ________.
A) identifying decision criteria
B) allocating weights to decision criteria
C) analyzing alternatives
D) developing alternatives

Accepted Answer

Identifying decision criteria is the next step after recognizing a problem in the decision-making process, as it involves determining what is relevant in making the decision.

Question 2

In the decision-making process, while ________, the decision maker puts the decision into action by conveying it to those affected by it and getting their commitment to it.
A) selecting an alternative
B) evaluating a decision's effectiveness
C) implementing an alternative
D) analyzing alternatives

Accepted Answer

Implementation is the stage where the decision maker puts the decision into action by conveying it to those affected by it and getting their commitment to it. Therefore, implementing an alternative is the best choice.

Question 3

Creativity is most essential in which of the following steps of the decision-making process?
A) analyzing alternatives
B) allocating weights to the decision criteria
C) developing alternatives
D) identifying decision criteria

Accepted Answer

Creativity is most essential in developing alternatives, as it requires coming up with new and innovative ideas or solutions to the problem at hand. The other steps, such as identifying decision criteria, analyzing alternatives, and allocating weights, are more analytical and require less creativity.

Question 4

When the overhead cranes crashed into each other for the third time, Joe formed a team to look into ways to avoid future crashes. After a brainstorming session, the team settled on three ideas, any of which might work. The team has completed which step in the decision-making process?
A) develop alternatives
B) analyze alternatives
C) select an alternative
D) implement an alternative

Accepted Answer

The team has completed the step of developing alternatives by brainstorming and settling on three ideas. The other steps in the decision-making process are yet to be completed.

Question 5

Amanda, a single parent, is looking for a new job. Considering that she has two school-aged children, she is particularly keen on finding an employer who can provide her with alternative work arrangements such as flexible work hours and telecommuting. In terms of the decision-making process, these represent Amanda's ________.
A) decision criteria
B) problems
C) alternatives
D) heuristics

Accepted Answer

Decision criteria are the factors or attributes that an individual considers when making a decision. In this case, Amanda's decision criteria are the alternative work arrangements such as flexible work hours and telecommuting that she is looking for in a potential employer. Therefore, option A is the correct answer. Options B, C, and D are not applicable in this context.

Question 6

Which of the following is important in effectively implementing the chosen alternative in the decision-making process?
A) evaluating each alternative by using the established criteria
B) being creative while implementing the alternatives
C) allowing those impacted by the outcome to participate in the process
D) ignoring criticism concerning your chosen alternative

Accepted Answer

Allowing those impacted by the outcome to participate in the process is important as it ensures buy-in, reduces resistance, and can provide valuable insights for effective implementation.

Question 7

Ridership on the city's public transportation buses has fallen for three weeks in a row. This is ________.
A) a problem
B) a symptom
C) neither a problem nor a symptom
D) a condition, but we need more information to determine whether it is a problem or a symptom.

Accepted Answer

The decline in bus ridership is a condition that could indicate underlying issues (making it a symptom) or could itself be a direct issue needing attention (making it a problem). Without more context, it's unclear which it is, hence more information is needed.

Question 8

Belinda wants to introduce a new model to the product line. Three models are being developed. Belinda can choose only one. She has decided to focus on target market size, production costs, and net profits. These are Belinda's ________.
A) alternatives
B) criterion weights
C) decision criteria
D) problems

Accepted Answer

Belinda's target market size, production costs, and net profits are her decision criteria, which she will use to evaluate and choose from her alternatives (the three models being developed). Therefore, the correct term to describe her target market size, production costs, and net profits is decision criteria.

Question 9

Before actually putting the decision into action, the decision-maker may find it prudent to ________.
A) develop the method of evaluating whether the decision is a good one
B) notify upper management that change is coming so they won't be blindsided
C) alert external stakeholders that the problem has been solved
D) check to make sure the conditions that existed at the time of the decision still exist, and make sure the decision is still the best one

Accepted Answer

Before putting the decision into action, it is important to review the conditions that existed at the time the decision was made and ensure that they still exist. Additionally, one should ensure that the decision is still the best one given the current circumstances. This helps to minimize the risk of making a costly mistake. Options A, B, and C may be relevant in certain situations, but they are not universally applicable to all decisions.

Question 10

After identifying the decision criteria that are important or relevant to resolving a problem, the next step in the decision-making process is ________.
A) allocating weights to the criteria
B) analyzing the alternatives to solving the problem
C) reducing the number of criteria through the process of elimination
D) implementing the alternative

Accepted Answer

Allocating weights to the criteria is the next step after identifying the decision criteria, as it helps in prioritizing them based on their importance to the decision-making process.

Question 11

Bryan must select a new supplier for lighting fixtures for his company's mobile homes. He has decided quality is more important than price but price is more important than lead times. Bryan will use these priorities to ________.
A) analyze alternatives
B) set his decision criteria
C) allocate weights to the criteria
D) develop alternatives

Accepted Answer

Bryan will allocate weights to the criteria based on his priorities, giving more weight to quality, followed by price, and then lead times.

Question 12

Sales of the high-end units have declined. The owners want Arnold, the CEO, to increase revenues to previous levels. His first action should be ________.
A) to identify previous sales levels
B) to determine why sales are off
C) to compare costs for three new models under development
D) to immediately begin production on the lowest cost model

Accepted Answer

Before taking any action, Arnold should first determine why sales are off. Identifying the root cause of the decline in sales will help him develop a more effective strategy to increase revenues, rather than blindly attempting to produce more units or cut costs without addressing the underlying issue.

Question 13

Carla is searching the Internet for sources of Himalayan salt to make bath salts. Carla is at the ________ step in the decision making process.
A) identify-the-problem
B) identify-decision-criteria
C) allocate-weights
D) develop-alternatives

Accepted Answer

Carla has already identified her problem (wanting to make bath salts with Himalayan salt). She may have already established decision criteria and allocated weights (such as cost, quality, and availability). Now, she is searching for sources of Himalayan salt, which is part of the process of developing alternatives. Therefore, the correct answer is D.

Question 14

Carla discovered that the supplier with the highest quality also had the longest lead time. The supplier with the best lead time had the highest price. To help Carla make her decision, she should ________.
A) order a small quantity from each supplier for comparison
B) rely on customer reviews to guide her decision
C) multiply her ratings for each criteria by the weight for the criteria then sum the scores
D) check with the Better Business Bureau for customer complaints

Accepted Answer

Multiplying the ratings for each criteria by the weight for the criteria and then summing the scores will give Carla a quantitative way to compare and prioritize the different factors (quality, lead time, and price) that are important to her decision. This will allow her to make an informed decision based on her specific needs and priorities. Ordering a small quantity from each supplier for comparison could be time-consuming and costly, while relying on customer reviews may not provide a complete view of each supplier's strengths and weaknesses. Checking with the Better Business Bureau could help ensure the supplier's reliability, but it does not provide information about the specific factors that are most important to Carla's decision.

Question 15

After Abby listened to the weather report this morning before work, she drove her car and carried an umbrella instead of riding her motorcycle. Whether she realizes it or not, Abby ________.
A) analyzed criteria
B) implemented a decision
C) assigned weights to criteria
D) evaluated a decision

Accepted Answer

Abby listened to the weather report and made the decision to drive instead of ride her motorcycle. Implementing a decision involves taking action based on a previous analysis or evaluation. She did not mention analyzing criteria or assigning weights to those criteria, nor did she mention evaluating a decision she had already made.

Question 16

Carla has identified several possible sources for Himalayan salt to make her bath salts. Now she is comparing their prices, quality, and delivery times. At what step is she in the decision-making process?
A) develop alternatives
B) analyze alternatives
C) select an alternative
D) implement the alternative

Accepted Answer

Carla is currently analyzing the alternatives, which means she is gathering information and evaluating the pros and cons of each option. She has not yet selected or implemented an alternative.

Question 17

To determine the ________, a manager must determine what is relevant or important to resolving a problem.
A) bounded rationality of a decision
B) escalation of commitment
C) cost of implementation
D) decision criteria

Accepted Answer

The decision criteria are the factors or standards used to evaluate and compare alternatives in a decision-making process. To make an informed decision, a manager must determine what factors are most important or relevant to the situation. Therefore, the correct answer is D, decision criteria.

Question 18

Which of the following statements is true concerning problem identification?
A) Problems are generally obvious.
B) A symptom and a problem are one and the same.
C) Generally, what is a problem for one manager is a problem for all other managers.
D) Effectively identifying problems is not easy.

Accepted Answer

Effectively identifying problems is not always easy. Problems can be hidden or disguised as symptoms, and different managers may perceive a situation as a problem or not. Therefore, it is important to have a structured problem identification process to effectively uncover underlying issues.

Question 19

A problem can best be described as ________.
A) a change from the past
B) something bad that has happened
C) a difference between current conditions and some desired state
D) a loss of something of value

Accepted Answer

A problem is essentially a gap or difference between what is currently happening and what is desired or expected. It is not necessarily something bad that has happened nor a loss of something of value, and it may not involve a change from the past.

Question 20

Max is planning to go away to college next year and is currently trying to figure out to which colleges he should apply. He would like to major in English Literature at an accredited liberal arts college, but is also looking for a university that offers financial aid. In terms of the decision-making process, these represent Max's ________.
A) problems
B) alternatives
C) decision criteria
D) heuristics

Accepted Answer

Max's major and financial aid needs represent his decision criteria, which are the factors or standards he will use to evaluate the different colleges he is considering. The other options (problems, alternatives, heuristics) are not as relevant to this particular scenario.

Quiz 2: Decision Making

After identifying a problem, the next step in the decision-making process is ________.

In the decision-making process, while ________, the decision maker puts the decision into action by conveying it to those affected by it and getting their commitment to it.

Creativity is most essential in which of the following steps of the decision-making process?

When the overhead cranes crashed into each other for the third time, Joe formed a team to look into ways to avoid future crashes. After a brainstorming session, the team settled on three ideas, any of which might work. The team has completed which step in the decision-making process?

Which of the following is important in effectively implementing the chosen alternative in the decision-making process?

Ridership on the city's public transportation buses has fallen for three weeks in a row. This is ________.

Belinda wants to introduce a new model to the product line. Three models are being developed. Belinda can choose only one. She has decided to focus on target market size, production costs, and net profits. These are Belinda's ________.

Before actually putting the decision into action, the decision-maker may find it prudent to ________.

After identifying the decision criteria that are important or relevant to resolving a problem, the next step in the decision-making process is ________.

Bryan must select a new supplier for lighting fixtures for his company's mobile homes. He has decided quality is more important than price but price is more important than lead times. Bryan will use these priorities to ________.

Sales of the high-end units have declined. The owners want Arnold, the CEO, to increase revenues to previous levels. His first action should be ________.

Carla is searching the Internet for sources of Himalayan salt to make bath salts. Carla is at the ________ step in the decision making process.

Carla discovered that the supplier with the highest quality also had the longest lead time. The supplier with the best lead time had the highest price. To help Carla make her decision, she should ________.

After Abby listened to the weather report this morning before work, she drove her car and carried an umbrella instead of riding her motorcycle. Whether she realizes it or not, Abby ________.

Carla has identified several possible sources for Himalayan salt to make her bath salts. Now she is comparing their prices, quality, and delivery times. At what step is she in the decision-making process?

To determine the ________, a manager must determine what is relevant or important to resolving a problem.

Which of the following statements is true concerning problem identification?

A problem can best be described as ________.