Which decision-making model involves identifying goals, listing alternatives, evaluating consequences, and selecting the option with the best overall value?

• A. Intuition-based decision making
• B. Incrementalism
• C. The rational decision-making model
• D. Garbage can model

Answer: (C)

The process described is the rational decision-making model, a structured approach that aims to maximize value. It starts by clearly defining the goals you want to achieve, then generating a range of possible alternatives to reach those goals. For each option, you evaluate the likely consequences, weighing benefits, costs, risks, and uncertainties. By comparing these outcomes, you select the option that offers the best overall value or utility. This contrasts with intuition-based decisions, which rely on gut feeling; incrementalism, which focuses on small, stepwise changes; and the garbage can model, where problems, solutions, and participants drift together in a more chaotic, opportunistic way. The rational model fits because it emphasizes goal clarity, comprehensive option generation, systematic evaluation of consequences, and choosing the option with the highest value.