NOTES: Decision Making – Rescue Trip AUS-CEB-AUS

A few days ago, I was in a decision making scenario which requires a “deliberation type” of thinking. The final decision came up after I purposely consider all my options.  Below are my notes taken during the analysis time.  Sending my only son during his college final week came out with the most value.  Although I took some risks, I believe that the risks can be tolerated. many thanks to Brittney and Brent who made extra effort to make this trip possible.

To my wife Britta, please read carefully and understand the OBJECTIVE of our son’s trip – “To reenergize you and bring you back to Round Rock”. We are with you in this difficult times.

Be encourage. 

DecisionMaking-RescueTrip-AUS-CEB-AUS.pdf
DecisionMaking-RescueTrip-AUS-CEB-AUS.pptx
BookSummary-PersonalDev-SmartChoices-Binder1.pdf

8 Steps Effective Decision Making: Trip to CEB

1. Define the decision problem.
2. Specify objectives.
3. Create imaginative alternatives.
4. Understand the consequences.
5. Study tradeoffs.
6. Identify uncertainties.
7. Think hard about your risk tolerance.
8. Consider linked decisions.
A. Final Decision
B. Action  Items
C. Results/After Action Review

Value Proposition
Customer
Gains
Pains
Product/Services
Gain Creator
Pain Relievers

 

8 Steps Effective Decision Making: Trip to CEB

1. Define the decision problem.
Grieving wife [age 49] needs an emotional boost before, during and after burial D-Day so that she will have the emotional strength to look beyond her grief experience with the recent loss of her 86 years old father who passed away November 20, 2016. Possibility of her deciding not to come back to the US is very high.

2. Specify objectives.
Provide encouragement during the burial and post burial days.
Provide a less costly way to send a representative to Cebu that will greatly boost her morale and well-being.
Ensure Brent’s safety and return to Round Rock.
Bring Britta back to Round Rock Texas, USA.

3. Create imaginative alternatives.
Rigel, Brittney, Brent flies to Cebu
Brent flies to Cebu
Let Britta suffer emotionally without support.

4. Understand the consequences.
Cost of the trip for Rigel, Brittney, Brent. $2850.00
Cost of the trip for Brent only. $950.00
Rigel can miss work
Brittney can fail the UMHB finals
Brent can miss his UT Final exam if flight is delayed
Britta goes crazy/irrational and decides not to comeback.
Plane crash-loss of entire family
Plane crash-loss of child.
1801 will be one-income family
Brent unable to pursue medical school due to low financial resources.
Britta can have a cardiac arrest at D-Day

5. Study tradeoffs.
Britta preferred that Brent be with her during the burial.
Brent provides alternate focus of Britta.  Focus towards the son instead of the departing father

6. Identify uncertainties.
Delay of flight.
Plane not reaching CEB.
Return trip gets delayed and Brent will miss the 12/5 Final Exam at UT.
Heavy typhoon in CEB cancels flight. [Yolanda type catastrophic event]

7. Think hard about your risk tolerance.
Plane not reaching CEB on time, can be tolerated.
Plane not reaching CEB, air travel is much safer that car travel, unlikely.
Additional expenses. Bank reserves has some tolerance.

8. Consider linked decisions.
When CEB, inquire if PAL flight can be rescheduled one day earlier.
When return flight is delayed, contact UT Professors and ask for permission to take exam.
Write a letter of notice for bereavement to UT Professors before leaving AUS.

A. Final Decision
Send Brent to Cebu 11/24 to 12/3

B. Action Items
Get plane ticket from AUS to CEB
Pack luggage
Drop off to AUS airport
Departure Flight AUS to CEB
Burial D-Day
D-Day +1
D-Day +2
Return flight CEB to AUS
Take UT Final Exam
Britta back to AUS D-Day +5

C. Results/After Action Review
Brent arrived back to AUS safely. 12/4/2016
Brent taken the final exam on time. 12/5/2016
Britta back to work. 12/7/2016

Value Proposition
Customer
Grieving mother experiencing loss of a father

Gains
Refocus from grief to future thinking

Pains
Loneliness during/post burial
Painful detachment to father

Product/Services
Brent’s Trip to Cebu

Gain Creator
Son being with the mother during the hard times.
Son provides “Positive Future” mindset

Pain Relievers
Brent in Cebu.