Graphic organizers can be very useful in making a decision because they force the student to think about what the problem is, what the possible alternatives are, and what the consequences (positive and negative) of each alternative could be. Then the decision can be more easily analyzed.

The graphic organizer guides the student through a four-stage decision-making process. The stages in the process are:

1. State the decision that needs to be made.
2. List possible alternatives.
3. List the pros and cons (the consequences) associated with each of the alternatives.
4. Compare the consequences each of the alternatives in order to make the decision (and/or evaluate the alternatives pairwise).

PMI (Plus, Minus, Implications) charts can be used for decision making where there are only two alternatives (like a yes/no question).

Printouts Useful for Decision Making:

Decision Making Chart Printout Three Alternatives This chart prompts the student to state a decision that needs to be made, list three possible alternatives, and the pros and cons of each alternative. The student then chooses the best alternative and makes the decision.

Decision Making Chart Printout Four Alternatives This chart prompts the student to state a decision that needs to be made, list four possible alternatives, and the pros and cons of each alternative. The student then chooses the best alternative and makes the decision.

Decision Making Tree Printout Three Alternatives This tree diagram prompts the student to state a decision that needs to be made, list three possible alternatives, and the pros and cons of each alternative. The student then chooses the best alternative and makes the decision.

Decision Making Tree Printout Four Alternatives This tree diagram prompts the student to state a decision that needs to be made, list four possible alternatives, and the pros and cons of each alternative. The student then chooses the best alternative and makes the decision.

Decision-Making Hierarchical Analysis Chart Printout Three Alternatives This matrix prompts the student to choose among the alternatives and make the decision by examining the alternatives in pairs.

Decision-Making Hierarchical Analysis Chart Printout Four Alternatives This matrix prompts the student to choose among the alternatives and make the decision by examining the alternatives in pairs.