Which is the first step in a structured decision-making process?

• A. Gather information
• B. Evaluate the decision
• C. Define the problem
• D. Plan for implementation

Answer: (C)

In structured decision-making, defining the problem is the starting point because it sets what you’re trying to achieve and the boundaries within which you’ll operate. A clear problem statement identifies the decision to be made, the objectives, constraints, and how success will be measured. Without this clarity, you might collect information that isn’t relevant, create or assess options that don’t address the real issue, or miss critical criteria for evaluating choices.

Once the problem is well defined, you proceed to gather information to understand the context, generate possible options, and then evaluate those options against the defined criteria. Planning for implementation comes after a decision is made, when you map out how to carry it out and monitor results.

So the first step is definition of the problem, because it anchors everything that follows.