Module 2 — The Decision-making Process

OBJECTIVE:

At the end of this module, the participant will be able to describe the decision-making process.

TRAINING TIME:

60 minutes

KEY TEACHING POINTS:

  • THE MODEL OF PILOT PERFORMANCE
  • DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
  • PILOT PERFORMANCE LEVELS
  • FACTORS

[Slide #1 at opening] LINK

The process by which tasks are performed typically follows four steps:

  1. Gathering of information;
  2. Processing information;
  3. Making a decision; and
  4. Acting on that decision

Often, while acting on a decision in step four, more information may be gathered and the process is repeated. Simple enough. But each step is fraught with challenges that, to the unaware, may lead to bad decisions and possibly bad outcomes.

AIM

The purpose of this module is to examine decision-making in this process, its issues and challenges.

MOTIVATION

Some decisions are arrived at rather easily, others less so. The brain is sometimes quick at processing, other times slow. Training and practice play an important role in the outcome.

In the dynamic environment of flight, the types of decisions that must be made and the time with which the brain must process information in order to make a decision vary greatly. It is, therefore, important to understand the decision-making process in this context.