Problem Solving & Decision Making Flashcards
7 cards from real CME practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Problem Solving & Decision Making flashcards as text
A manager notices declining team productivity but cannot pinpoint the cause. Which problem-solving step should come first?
Answer: Define and scope the problem clearly
Clearly defining and scoping the problem is the essential first step before any analysis or solution generation can be meaningful.
Which decision-making model assumes that decision-makers have complete information and always choose the optimal solution?
Answer: Classical rational model
The classical rational model assumes perfect information, unlimited cognitive capacity, and selection of the optimal solution.
A team is debating two equally promising solutions. Using a decision matrix, what is the primary advantage?
Answer: It provides a structured, weighted comparison of options
A decision matrix enables systematic, weighted comparison of alternatives against defined criteria, reducing subjectivity.
Which cognitive bias causes managers to favor information that confirms their existing beliefs when solving problems?
Answer: Confirmation bias
Confirmation bias leads decision-makers to seek and prioritize information that supports their pre-existing views.
During a root cause analysis, a team uses '5 Whys.' What is the primary goal of this technique?
Answer: To identify the deepest underlying cause of a problem
The 5 Whys technique iteratively asks 'why' to drill past symptoms and surface the true root cause of a problem.
When facing a high-stakes decision with significant uncertainty, which approach is most appropriate for a Certified Management Executive?
Answer: Use scenario planning to evaluate multiple possible futures
Scenario planning allows executives to evaluate strategic options across multiple plausible futures, reducing exposure to blind spots.
What distinguishes programmed decisions from non-programmed decisions in management?
Answer: Programmed decisions address routine situations; non-programmed address novel, complex issues
Programmed decisions use established rules for recurring situations, while non-programmed decisions require judgment for unique, complex problems.