Usually several or many decision alternatives
The best decision alternative is not usually clear, at least at first look
There are many criteria that should be considered before making the decision
Research is needed to learn about the decision alternatives
Some of the decision criteria are more important than other criteria
Some of the important information needed to make the decision is not available, or it can become available if time and resources are available to obtain the information
Most business people do not have and do not use a defined, valid process for making important business decisions
Often there are differences of opinion among key constituents about the decision outcome, sometimes based on preconceived perceptions and biases rather than on information

How people make important business decisions:

Gut feel
Shoot from the hip
With their heart
Use their head, but without adequate information
Use their head, using appropriate sufficient information
With input/collaboration from appropriate people
Without input/collaboration from appropriate people
Combination of above

What is needed to make informed decisions with a high probability of success:

Understand the issue
Gather as much pertinent information as possible including hard data from company data sources (databases, reports), and information, insight and perceptions from any of the following appropriate sources: employees, customers, suppliers, the community, shareholders/owners, etc.
Define valid decision alternatives
Define criteria to be used in evaluating each alternative
Weigh importance of each criteria
Make assumptions about each alternative and about the decision/business environment
Evaluate each criteria of each alternative
Quantify overall rating of each decision alternative
Compare and rank decision alternatives
Make the best possible decision based on research and the decision process

Risks and impact of making bad important business decisions include:

Significant financial loss
Negative impact on customers leading to lost customers and business
Negative impact on employees, leading to poor performance, quality problems, employee turnover, etc.
Negative impact on company reputation
Injuries to employees or customers
Costly law suits
Product recalls
Disruption to business
May force the company to go out of business

Using surveys to make better, more informed business decisions

Making better important business decisions often requires current information and insight from employees and customers. Quantisoft's employee opinion/satisfaction, customer satisfaction/opinion, business risk assessment and other surveys are a cost-effective way to gather information and insight for making important business decisions. By conducting these surveys on a periodic basis (e.g. annually), your organization's decision makers will have ready access to current information and insight for making many of your organization's important decisions. Where needed, Quantisoft designs and conducts specialized surveys of employees, customers, suppliers and other groups to gather the exact information and insight your organization needs to make better, informed important business decisions.

Information about Employee Satisfaction Surveys/Employee Engagement Surveys/Employee Opinion Surveys