Howard Raiffa

Smart Choices

1. IDEA 1

   Good decisions follow a clear process

   Hammond, Keeney and Raiffa argue that decision-making is a skill that can be learned. They offer a simple framework called PrOACT, which breaks any choice into manageable steps so that people do not get lost in confusion or emotion.

2. IDEA 2

   Define the real problem

   The first step is to state the problem carefully, because the way a problem is framed shapes the options people see. A badly defined problem leads to a poor solution.

3. IDEA 3

   Know your objectives

   The authors suggest listing what you really want to achieve, including less obvious goals. Clear objectives make it easier to judge options. Without clear goals, you may pick an option that looks good but misses what you truly want.

All 8 ideas from Smart Choices →