This is One of My Favorite Decision Making Techniques
Today’s lesson looks at one of the decision making techniques developed by Edward de Bono, one of the leading thinkers on creative thought. The technique we want to talk about is called Consider All Factors, or CAF.
CAF is a 3-step tool that helps you discover and consider all the potential factors to make the best decision possible.
The Steps of CAF:
The first step is to list out all the potential factors that affect the decision in several categories which are:
Geography – which could mean anything from location to environment.
People – understanding everyone’s needs and wants.
Risks – this includes legal, health, financial etc. risks.
Constraints – things that you are not allowed to do.
Resources – things that you have available to help you.
The Future – things that could come up or things that may change that may affect the decision.
The second step is to consider each factor independently and together.
The third step is to make the appropriate decision using what you have learned in the first two steps.
Use It or Lose It (to make it actionable):
To utilize CAF simply follow the 3 steps that we discussed earlier:
(1) List out all the potential factors that affect the decision using the categories we discussed earlier.
(2) Consider each factor independently and together.
(3) Make the appropriate decision using what you have learned in the first two steps.
When to Use It:
Whenever you are confronted with an important decision where you need to consider various factors.
What Do You Think?
Can you think of any examples where you could have used CAF to help you make a better decision?
Until next time, behave and as always…Prime Your Pump!
–Howie
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Very entertaining presentation, and I like how you spiced it up with a bit of humor. I believe that most individuals use the CAF concept subconsciously when approaching a major milestone or decision. And that the specific factors that you mention must be ranked or weighted, as some (or just one) will be more important than the others. This very well may be part of your statement to consider each factor independently and TOGETHER, maybe looking for trade-offs. Some aspects can be very difficult to quantify or assign a numerical value.
But sometimes, you have to listen to your gut. There’s a saying from the old country that goes “When an opportunity presents itself, don’t flip it the finger.” In 2009, the aerospace company I worked for offered me early retirement with full pension plus a five figure golden parachute. My first question asked – “where do I sign?” Decision made within a minute, and I have never regretted it. My wife fell into a somewhat similar situation. She worked for 20 years as a vet’s assistant. The veterinarian decided to sell the practice and retire. Joan decided “I will retire also”, and she did. And she has not looked back either.
And as they say in the old country: “A piece of ass is a piece of ass.” But always carry a condom.