Deciding: A guide to even better decision making

This book is intended to help decision-makers of all types make even better decisions. The central thesis is that whether ‘Deciders’ realise it or not, all decisions are made using what the authors describe as ‘the universal method of decision-making’. The adequacy of each decision therefore depends on how skilfully the method is applied, whether Deciders achieve ‘sufficient certainty’ about the outcomes that will flow from the decision and the contribution made by those outcomes to the organisation’s Purpose.

The authors shun jargon. The eight chapters and five appendices of the book include many practical tips with examples and anecdotes from various sectors that explain the universal method. Issues such as context, assumptions, and detecting and responding to change after the decision is made are addressed and there are clear, simple diagrams – including an easy-to-follow illustration of the universal method – to help the reader grasp the main concepts.

The authors say that Deciding is a book for thinkers, rather than for those seeking a formulaic or procedurally rigid methodology. They will have realised their goal, they say, if Deciding causes readers to reflect on the way they apply the universal method, reinforce what they already do well, and recognise opportunities to improve.

Roger Estall and Grant Purdy who first met in 2003, have similar, yet separate 40+ year careers as both Deciders and advisers. They have each chaired and served on boards and held executive and technical management roles in multiple areas of the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Now based in Sydney and Melbourne respectively, their careers have taken them to many parts of the world.

You can read the many positive reviews of the book at
www.sufficientcertainty.com/what-people-have-said-about-deciding

Christopher Paris
"You’re not likely to love risk management when you’re done with Deciding, however, and that’s all for the best. The book moves the conversation away from consultant-driven boardroom BS into a more practical, and infinitely more applicable, method that anyone can us."

Chris Peace
"Einstein is credited with saying “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough”. In this slim, self-published paperback book Roger and Grant succeed in explaining a great deal very simply."

John Lark
"The two authors of this book have used their decades of experience in advising key decision makers in government and business to provide compelling clarity on how to implement effective decision making in the presence of uncertainty. The book is written to be immediately understood by decision makers at all levels, from the captains of industry to airline pilots facing an emergency."