The 4 Step Framework To Making Great Decisions

Are you feeling weighed down by the number of decisions you have to make every day as a health care professional? You’re not alone. COVID-19 rattled many health care businesses, and not having a clear decision-making process in the workplace can be costly and affect productivity. Luckily, there is a framework that can help make the most difficult decisions in any industry, easier. This framework is called the “WRAP” decision framework. Following the “WRAP” decision  framework provides a groundbreaking method for making better choices even in the midst of uncertainty.

The “WRAP” Decision Framework

What is the “WRAP” decision framework? The “WRAP” concept combines some of the principles from the book “Decisive” by Chip Heath and the tools in Creatley like diagramming to help health care professionals make great life, career, and business decisions. As humans, we can sometimes be irrational with decision-making because of either our internal or external circumstances. Whether it’s because you experienced  a code on the hospital floor or you are enduring personal matters at home, making decisions can become quite tough if we aren’t in the right headspace. That is why it’s critical to follow a decision framework that is proven to help you get out of your head and make better-informed decisions no matter what circumstances you are going through.

Let’s dive into the 4 steps that make up “WRAP” and learn how diagramming and visualization can be used at certain stages of the process. 

4 Steps to Making Better Decisions as a Healthcare Professional

• Widen Your Options

By having a narrow frame of mind, you miss out on the possibilities of “what could be.” Instead of only looking at the options in front of you, think about your other choices as well.

If you find yourself stuck, get your team involved and interview  some of them to collect valuable insight. Ask them questions pertaining to the important decision you have to make and take their thoughts seriously. (They may be able to provide a new course of action you hadn’t thought of before!)

A brainstorm map is a great visualization to use to collect insights from your team members all in on space. If you don’t have time to ask your staff these questions individually, try sending out an email with a link to your brainstorm map! It’s an effective and efficient way to give everyone the chance to contribute in on the decision. 

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• Reality Test Your Assumptions

Next, you want to reality test your assumptions. Making the right choice is all about putting your assumptions to the test, and you can do this by playing the devil’s advocate. See if you can find holes in your course of action. What does past data say about similar instances in your healthcare company? Was that decision successful? Or were there things that the past team failed to see pre-deciding? 

It can be easy to follow suit with the way things have always been, but sticking with the status quo isn’t always the best option. (Especially in the healthcare industry.)

• Attain Distance Before Deciding

Sometimes, we can get caught up in the short-term emotions of a decision that we jump far too soon. Before making a decision, think about the long-term implications of that choice. What will choosing that choice mean for you? Your patients? Coworkers? Healthcare facility? Putting a distance between you and the decision will help you see the decision holistically and allow you to review its implications. 

• Prepare to Fail

Lastly, prepare to be wrong. Your decision could be correct or your decision  may need some tweaking. Either way, you will want to pad in some time in case things go wrong. You don’t want to make critical decisions too close to the deadline in the case that the plan needs to be altered or scrapped altogether. This extra time will allow you and your coworkers to thoughtfully walk back through the decision-making process and make an informed new decision.

Using a visualization like a Kanban Board can allow your team to manage the project and see what parts of the project are holding back the total project. The Kanban Board allows your team to easily see the due dates and encourages collaboration to ensure that your project is completed in time. 

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You’re Only Once Choice Away From a Great Decision

No matter what your job title is, you make decisions every single day. Some are big, some small, but we all have to make them. In the health care industry, it’s even more crucial to make the best decisions you can, but by following the 4 step process highlighted above, you will be on your way towards making better decisions in your field of expertise.