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Problem Solving & Decision Making Flashcards

7 cards from real CSM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Problem Solving & Decision Making flashcards as text

  1. Which problem-solving model follows the sequence: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control?

    Answer: DMAIC

    DMAIC is a data-driven Six Sigma improvement cycle used to optimize and stabilize business processes.

  2. A strategic manager uses a Pareto analysis when prioritizing problems. The underlying principle is that:

    Answer: 20% of causes typically drive 80% of effects

    Pareto analysis applies the 80/20 rule to identify the vital few causes responsible for the majority of problems.

  3. Groupthink most commonly occurs in organizational decision making when:

    Answer: Cohesive groups prioritize harmony over critical evaluation

    Groupthink develops in highly cohesive teams where the desire for consensus suppresses individual critical thinking and dissent.

  4. The nominal group technique (NGT) differs from standard brainstorming primarily because it:

    Answer: Structures individual idea generation before group discussion and voting

    NGT separates individual silent idea generation from group discussion, then uses structured voting to rank ideas and reduce dominant-voice bias.

  5. A manager applies multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to a vendor selection problem. The primary advantage of MCDA over simple cost comparison is:

    Answer: It simultaneously weighs multiple quantitative and qualitative criteria

    MCDA enables structured evaluation across financial, operational, and qualitative criteria, producing a comprehensive comparison rather than a single-metric ranking.

  6. In the context of strategic decision making, 'escalation of commitment' refers to:

    Answer: Continuing to invest in a failing course of action due to prior investments

    Escalation of commitment (sunk cost fallacy) occurs when managers continue investing in failing strategies to justify past expenditures.

  7. Which approach best describes 'evidence-based decision making' in strategic management?

    Answer: Systematically integrating best available data, analytics, and research into decisions

    Evidence-based decision making prioritizes rigorous data analysis, relevant research, and empirical evidence over intuition or tradition.