The decision making, or problem solving, process can be broken down into six phases, some of which overlap in some situations: recognizing the need for a decision; identifying the objectives; identifying alternatives; evaluating alternatives; selecting the best alternative; and, implementing the decision (Steers, 1991, p. 243).

Recognizing the need for a decision may be the most important step in the decision making process. If the manager does not recognize that there is a decision to made or a problem to be solved, he or she cannot take the necessary steps to resolve the situation. In the public sector, there are guidelines in many situations which determine when public input must be sought; in other situations, bureaucrats and public employees will be able to identify issues which require problem solving tech

Some topics in this essay:
Van Dine, Brache Rummler, Organizations Public, decision process, recognizing decision, public administrator, solving process, behn 1998, implementation plan, key public, alternatives appropriate, situations alternative, situation public,