In chapter 3 of Group Communication book, the decision making process is laid out. I tried to apply it to different group decisions I have made recently. While it wasn't quite used to the t when we decided where to go to dinner, I did think of one time where this process worked perfectly. My brothers and I were driving cross country and had a lot of time to contemplate unimportant things. We decided we would identify the greatest rap song of all time. Here is how it applied to the pyramid in chapter 3:
Identifying the problem: we don't know the what the greatest rap song of all time is
Conducting research: we began with a google search of the top rap songs of all time, as well as an iTunes search on the most lucrative.
Establishing guidelines and criteria: we decided that it must have been popular in it's time, danceable, and hold up over time- meaning it is still played on the radio and doesn't sound dated.
Generating alternatives: We started with one song and then started submitting alternatives we believed to be superior.
Evaluating alternatives: When "Hey Ya" was submitted, we all agreed it was popular, danceable, and held up, but while it was technically sung by a rap group, we determined it was actually pop and therefore ineligible.
Selecting the best alternative: We eventually selected a song when no one could think of anything superior to it.
Implementing the solution: We joyously played the song immediately on my iPod!
Evaluating results: we told everyone we knew about our conclusion and challenged them to top it.
In case you are curious the greatest rap song of all time is The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Hypnotize."
Your post was very interesting. You did a great job by including your own experience in explaining the process of decision making in groups. I understand this concept even more now and realize that it is important to be able to go step by step in the process in order to get to a good conclusion. It is important to first identify the problem, and then conduct any research on it, followed by establishing guidelines, generating alternatives and the evaluating them. Only after evaluation one can select the best alternative, implement the solution and finally come to a result. I'm glad you were able to find the greatest rap song. I enjoyed reading your post.
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