Baking&Snack - June 2013 - 103

Others tend to gather information that’s really not
relevant. Some people get stuck trying to figure out
what they need to understand and never get started.
A formatted decision-making process is just what you
need. There are plenty of ways to do this, but then again
you have to decide which option is best for you. The
process I recommend is simple and clear.
The first step involves identifying exactly which
decision needs to be made first. Sometimes this decision is simply handed to you by someone else, while
other times, you need to come up with it yourself.
Don’t overload this step with multiple choices. Pick
one decision, center up on it, and build the rest of the
process around it. Clarity of the decision to be made
is the driver of a successful process.
Next, lay out any choices you might have for the
desired outcome of the decision. Be sure to put these
options down on paper or in a decision log so your
mind does not wander down wayward paths.
After you have identified your decision and the
different routes to get to your decision, it’s time to
research and gather any information that will feed
and support your ultimate goal. If you have remained
in control to this point, you will be chasing only the
information that is integral to the decision you want
to make, and you will not get caught up in unnecessary data harvesting.
Once you have the necessary research completed,
organize the info into a pro’s and con’s format. Study
it briefly, then pull the trigger on the direction.
Once you have implemented the decision, then
and only then should you look back to determine
the quality of your decision. You can determine if
you had done enough research, followed the right
plan and implemented it with the right timing.
Even if your decision wasn’t quite perfect, you have
wheels in motion, and you can adjust your plan on
the fly.
When it comes to analysis paralysis, Cardinal John
Henry Newman summarized it best. He said, “A man
would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so
well that no one could find fault.”
Decisions are not made without a systematic approach,
and projects do not move forward without decisions. Find
your own way to manage the decision-making process in
your world, and keep the ball rolling.

Check out more Bakery Tech Tips

Bakery Tech Tips are Baking & Snack’s quick burst
management podcasts designed for engineering and
operations professionals in the wholesale baking industry.
You can pick up useful information just a few minutes at a
time by listening to these podcasts, among others, at
www.bakingbusiness.com/multimedia/podcasts.
“Succeeding without Really Trying” — When starting a
new project, take best-practice cues from those who have
gone before.
“Estimate-Guesstimate” — How to make a best
“guesstimate” on large-scale projects when there’s no
time for research.
“The Art of Leadership” — Think of your bakery operation
as a canvas for expressing your management skills.
“Fishing for the Answer” — Easy ways to approach
problem-solving in your bakery.
“Culture is in the Air” — How to develop an operational
atmosphere that helps your team feel good about what
they accomplish every day.
“What’s Next?” – Asking this question can mean the
difference between a stagnant operation and one
that flourishes.
“Plug and Play” — How to prepare your bakery for
emergency generator power.
“Skill Set Match” — Learn how to best match up the
skills of your workforce with the appropriate production
needs in the bakery.
“The Best Tool in Your Pocket” — As the cell phone becomes
widely accepted in plant operations, this podcast offers tips
on ways to use it as a production tool.
“The Pit Crew Challenge” — Learn how to prevent
breakdowns on the line by way of proprietary systems
and practices.

•

Analysis paralysis is typically defined as over-thinking
something to the point you are mentally locked up and
can’t move ahead on the process.
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June 2013 / Baking & Snack / 103

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Baking&Snack - June 2013

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