Application of the Decision- Making Process

Multiple Choice

Application of the Decision- Making Process
Net income has fallen for the second quarter, and Amanda is understandably worried. She knows at the board of directors meeting on Wednesday she will be closely questioned and expected to have a plan to avoid any third- quarter losses.
Amanda begins to read slowly over the financial documents to try and ascertain areas that may be the cause. After much consideration, it appears that expenses have risen dramatically over the last few months. Amanda wonders why. She decides a meeting of the department heads is in order first thing tomorrow morning. At the meeting, Amanda would like to generate several possible solutions to the increased expenses. She wonders how to effectively explore all the options. At the meeting, the first option that is discussed is to downsize the research and development department since it is not essential to current operations. Several managers approve this plan. Amanda suggests that they need to look further at the issue. Several suggestions are made, many of which appear to be viable. Amanda wonders what to do next.
-What is the first step in the decision- making process facing Amanda?

A) Assignment of weights to the decision criteria.
B) Identification of the decision criteria.
C) Identification of the real problem.
D) Selection of an alternative that will solve the problem.