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Decision Making - Beginner Level: outcome evaluation BEGINNER

Master decision making concepts through this speed drill practice set. Worksheet 6 of 30 contains 20 beginner-level problems. Deep dive into outcome evaluation while learning outcome evaluation, decision criteria, logical choices. Recommended for entry-level learners aiming for foundational concepts and basic patterns.

📝 Worksheet 6 of 30 • 20 questions • ⏱️ Estimated time: 20 minutes • 🎯 Beginner level

What you'll learn in this worksheet:
Your progress through Decision Making
Worksheet 6 of 30 (20% complete)

Question 1

Situation: Technology adoption decision for traditional manufacturing company Considering risk assessment, what is the most appropriate decision?
Partial automation balances risk and reward - moderate investment ($800k) with good efficiency gain (40%) and acceptable failure risk (15%). Full automation's 30% failure risk on $2M is too high for traditional company.
decision, risk, uncertainty, investment

Question 2

Situation: You're the captain of a ship that hits an iceberg. You have 30 minutes before sinking. 100 passengers, lifeboats capacity 80. What is the best decision in this emergency situation?
In maritime emergencies, traditional protocol prioritizes vulnerable populations. This maintains order, maximizes survival of those with least chance of self-rescue.
decision, emergency, crisis, time-critical

Question 3

Situation: A student needs to choose between two summer programs: Program A costs $2000, lasts 6 weeks, and provides college credit. Program B costs $1200, lasts 4 weeks, and offers internship experience. What should be the primary criterion for this decision?
This addresses the fundamental value proposition of each program's outcomes. College credit provides long-term academic value, while internship offers immediate practical experience. The choice depends on career goals, making this the primary criterion.
decision, criteria, priorities

Question 4

Situation: Investment decision for conservative investor nearing retirement (5 years from retirement) Considering risk assessment, what is the most appropriate decision?
For a conservative investor nearing retirement, capital preservation is paramount. Government bonds provide guaranteed returns with zero loss risk, aligning with the short time horizon and risk tolerance.
decision, risk, uncertainty, investment

Question 5

Decision: Company considering automation that will eliminate 200 jobs but increase efficiency by 40% Considering all stakeholder impacts, what is the most ethical and practical approach?
Balances efficiency gains with social responsibility. Saves 100 jobs while improving efficiency, providing transition support for affected workers. This approach balances competing interests while prioritizing overall welfare.
decision, stakeholders, ethics, corporate

Question 6

Situation: A student needs to choose between two summer programs: Program A costs $2000, lasts 6 weeks, and provides college credit. Program B costs $1200, lasts 4 weeks, and offers internship experience. What should be the primary criterion for this decision?
This addresses the fundamental value proposition of each program's outcomes. College credit provides long-term academic value, while internship offers immediate practical experience. The choice depends on career goals, making this the primary criterion.
decision, criteria, priorities

Question 7

Decision: Launch new product now or wait 6 months for more market research? Based on expected value analysis, what is the optimal strategy?
Launch now: 40% success → expected value = 0.4×1000 = 400. Wait: 70% success after research → expected value = 0.7×900 = 630 (accounting for 100 research cost). Higher EV makes waiting optimal.
decision, sequential, probability, expected-value

Question 8

Situation: A farmer with limited land can either: grow wheat (guaranteed $5000 profit), grow organic vegetables (potential $8000 profit, 40% crop failure risk), or lease land to solar company (guaranteed $6000) Considering opportunity costs, what is the best choice?
Expected value of vegetables = $8000 × 0.6 = $4800, which is less than guaranteed $5000 from wheat. Solar lease gives $6000 guaranteed, making it optimal considering risk.
decision, opportunity-cost, trade-offs

Question 9

Decision: City council deciding on new affordable housing project location Considering all stakeholder impacts, what is the most ethical and practical approach?
Distributes impact across neighborhoods, reduces concentrated opposition, provides better integration with existing communities. This approach balances competing interests while prioritizing overall welfare.
decision, stakeholders, ethics, corporate

Question 10

Decision: Outsource manufacturing or build in-house facility? Based on expected value analysis, what is the optimal strategy?
Outsource: guaranteed 300 cost savings. In-house: 70% chance of 500 savings, 30% chance of 100 loss → EV=350-30=320. Outsourcing gives guaranteed savings with lower risk.
decision, sequential, probability, expected-value

Question 11

Scenario: Choosing a location for new factory Criteria weights: Labor costs (25%), Logistics (25%), Tax incentives (20%), Skilled workforce (20%), Energy costs (10%) Scores: Location X: 8/7/9/6/8, Location Y: 6/8/7/9/7, Location Z: 7/9/6/8/9 Based on weighted multi-criteria evaluation, which option should be selected?
X=2.0+1.75+1.8+1.2+0.8=7.55; Y=1.5+2.0+1.4+1.8+0.7=7.4; Z=1.75+2.25+1.2+1.6+0.9=7.7. Location Z scores highest.
decision, matrix, weighted-evaluation

Question 12

Situation: A professional can either: take a promotion with 20% raise but 10 hours more work weekly, or start a side business with potential for 50% income increase but high failure risk Considering opportunity costs, what is the best choice?
Promotion offers guaranteed 20% raise with known trade-offs. Side business has high failure risk (typically 50%+). The opportunity cost of not taking promotion is guaranteed income loss for uncertain gain.
decision, opportunity-cost, trade-offs

Question 13

Decision: Expand to international market or focus on domestic growth? Based on expected value analysis, what is the optimal strategy?
International: 25% chance of 1000 profit, 75% chance of 100 loss → EV=250-75=175. Domestic: 60% chance of 400 profit, 40% chance of 50 loss → EV=240-20=220. Domestic focus has higher expected value.
decision, sequential, probability, expected-value

Question 14

Scenario: Choosing a marketing strategy for product launch Criteria weights: Reach (30%), Engagement (30%), Cost (25%), Speed (15%) Scores: Digital: 9/8/7/9, Traditional: 6/7/8/5, Hybrid: 8/9/6/8 Based on weighted multi-criteria evaluation, which option should be selected?
Digital weighted=2.7+2.4+1.75+1.35=8.2; Traditional=1.8+2.1+2.0+0.75=6.65; Hybrid=2.4+2.7+1.5+1.2=7.8. Digital scores highest, but Hybrid balances all factors.
decision, matrix, weighted-evaluation

Question 15

Situation: During a riot, you must decide whether to deploy tear gas on a crowd of 500 protesters (risk of injury to 50, but stop violence) or let them protest (risk of 100 injuries from violence). What is the best decision in this emergency situation?
Risk assessment: 50 injuries from tear gas vs 100 injuries from violence. Immediate deployment minimizes total harm despite short-term side effects.
decision, emergency, crisis, time-critical

Question 16

Situation: A hospital must choose between purchasing new MRI machine (improves diagnosis) or upgrading emergency room (reduces wait times). What should be the primary criterion for this decision?
In healthcare, patient outcomes should be the primary decision criterion. Both options improve care, but the one with greater impact on patient health should be prioritized.
decision, criteria, priorities

Question 17

Scenario: Choosing a location for new factory Criteria weights: Labor costs (25%), Logistics (25%), Tax incentives (20%), Skilled workforce (20%), Energy costs (10%) Scores: Location X: 8/7/9/6/8, Location Y: 6/8/7/9/7, Location Z: 7/9/6/8/9 Based on weighted multi-criteria evaluation, which option should be selected?
X=2.0+1.75+1.8+1.2+0.8=7.55; Y=1.5+2.0+1.4+1.8+0.7=7.4; Z=1.75+2.25+1.2+1.6+0.9=7.7. Location Z scores highest.
decision, matrix, weighted-evaluation

Question 18

Scenario: Selecting a candidate for promotion Criteria weights: Technical skills (30%), Leadership (30%), Experience (25%), Cultural fit (15%) Scores: Candidate P: 9/7/8/8, Candidate Q: 7/9/7/7, Candidate R: 8/8/9/9 Based on weighted multi-criteria evaluation, which option should be selected?
P=2.7+2.1+2.0+1.2=8.0; Q=2.1+2.7+1.75+1.05=7.6; R=2.4+2.4+2.25+1.35=8.4. Candidate R scores highest across all criteria.
decision, matrix, weighted-evaluation

Question 19

Situation: A company can use $500,000 to: upgrade equipment (increase efficiency 20%), hire employees (expand capacity 30%), or keep as cash reserve (maintain financial stability) Considering opportunity costs, what is the best choice?
30% capacity expansion provides highest growth potential if market demand supports it. The opportunity cost of hiring is foregone efficiency gains, but capacity growth typically drives revenue more directly.
decision, opportunity-cost, trade-offs

Question 20

Situation: A company can use $500,000 to: upgrade equipment (increase efficiency 20%), hire employees (expand capacity 30%), or keep as cash reserve (maintain financial stability) Considering opportunity costs, what is the best choice?
30% capacity expansion provides highest growth potential if market demand supports it. The opportunity cost of hiring is foregone efficiency gains, but capacity growth typically drives revenue more directly.
decision, opportunity-cost, trade-offs
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