Decision making in Architectural Management

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You have made one of the most crucial decisions demonstrating your decision making skill; Deciding to be an Architect. Welcome on-board!

Architecture is both Art and Science. It opens-up infinite possibilities; enriches your journey as an Architect by constantly creating new opportunities to learn, lead through high-tides and master pitfalls. Being the Leader of your team, the success or failure of your team is purely dependent on your decision making skill!

‘Choice (decision), not chance, determines the destiny.’

Management gurus recommend asking this question to yourself: 

“What will happen if I don’t decide?”

If your answer is: ‘Nothing bad’ then no decision may be the best.

If your answer is: ‘Something undesirable’ then you may need to make a decision.

If your answer is: ‘I don’t know’ then you need more information.

The Latin root of the word “Decision” means "to cut off from all alternatives". In an attempt to devise an approach that embraces this core essence of decision making, I came up with something powerful that I chose to call as the “3D” approach. 

The 3D approach encompasses the entire Architectural Management decision-making process in one simple formula.

Decision = Define + Discuss + Determine

DEFINE: 

The first step to decision making is to define the problem statement. When trying to address a problem, we all tend to digress towards addressing auxiliary problems eventually drifting away from the original problem. For example, when you desperately need a TV, your friends may suggest you to buy a DVD player as well. Gradually, your focus and search energy will switch to DVD player; much before you realize how much you drifted from your original need. 

Focus entirely on the original problem for which you need to make a decision. Focusing becomes easier when you recognize and discard all other secondary problems that distract you. 

DISCUSS: 

Architectural Management is not a one-man show. It is a team-work. So it is extremely important to take your team into your decision making process. Collect all the required facts and details to form ideas and generate directions. Discuss all possibilities with your team, evaluate both their pros and cons. Articulate your point of view as well as understand others’ points of view. Mark areas of agreement. Don’t deviate from the problem, but be open to new ideas.

Discussion is incredibly powerful in terms of opening up new possibilities and solutions to the problem and helping you take your decision more consciously. 

DETERMINE: 

Given that you would have gathered all information and ideas in the first two stages of our 3D approach; the last stage is when you nail down your decision. 

Each and every building you see around you is unique; each and every Architect is unique too. According to Myers-Briggs type indicator, people in general are classified into two kinds - Thinkers and Feelers. A Thinker tends to use reason and logic. A Feeler tends to use values and judgment. The “Determine” stage is when your decision making skill, whether rational or intuitive, is put to test. Having gone through a logical process of conscious decision making using the 3D approach, there is less room for vagueness and ambiguity in your decision. 

Determine your decision. Be firm in your decision and communicate it to others. Implement it.

3D is a powerful and a compelling approach that helps you reach to a conscious decision; however complex the problem is. Factors like knowledge, intuition, experience, entrepreneurial skill, scientific training and management training play an important role in facilitating the decision making process.

In this rapidly changing world, when you don’t have a choice but to make a decision from too many choices… I would strongly recommend the 3D approach. 

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