P2: DECISION TIMELINE*

...the goal of a DECISION WORKSHOP is to find the optimal solution. But that optimality includes making the best use of the available time, which is in most cases limited.

* * *

More time spent on a decision process would increase the precision; however, there is usually a deadline by which a decision has to be made.

Therefore:

• Create a roadmap of when the elements of the decision-making process will take place. Start with asking the decision maker by when the decision has to be made.
• For each session (i.e., issue raising) clarify when and for how long you aim the session to be. Timing can change in the application, but it needs to be roughly specified initially to make the best use of the time available.

Clearly indicate when the significant checkpoints will take place. The Dialogue Decision Process could give an idea on when those checkpoints could be.

References:

Parnell, G. S., Terry Bresnick, M. B. A., Tani, S. N., & Johnson, E. R. (2013). Handbook of Decision Analysis (Vol. 6). John Wiley & Sons.