Problem Solving and Decision Making Flashcards
7 cards from real Korn Ferry Assessment 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 and Decision Making flashcards as text
A decision matrix is a tool used in problem solving to:
Answer: Score and compare multiple options against weighted criteria to identify the best choice
A decision matrix allows teams to systematically evaluate competing options by rating each one against relevant, weighted criteria, producing an objective composite score.
What is the primary benefit of pilot testing a proposed solution before full-scale implementation?
Answer: It reduces risk by allowing the team to identify flaws and refine the solution in a controlled environment
Pilot testing provides real-world evidence about a solution's effectiveness and unintended consequences at low cost, allowing adjustments before committing full organizational resources.
The 'sunk cost fallacy' in decision making refers to:
Answer: Continuing to invest in a failing course of action because of past investments rather than future value
The sunk cost fallacy causes decision makers to irrationally factor past, unrecoverable investments into forward-looking decisions instead of evaluating future costs and benefits objectively.
Appreciative Inquiry differs from traditional problem solving in that it primarily focuses on:
Answer: Discovering and amplifying what is already working well to create positive change
Appreciative Inquiry is a strengths-based approach that examines peak performance and best practices to build energy and solutions around existing organizational capabilities.
Scenario planning as a decision-making tool is most valuable when:
Answer: The future is highly uncertain and multiple plausible futures must be considered
Scenario planning helps leaders develop robust strategies by preparing for a range of plausible futures, reducing vulnerability to unexpected developments in high-uncertainty environments.
How does 'systems thinking' enhance problem solving compared to linear cause-and-effect thinking?
Answer: It recognizes that problems arise from interconnected feedback loops and unintended consequences across a system
Systems thinking considers how components of a system interact and influence one another over time, preventing narrow fixes that inadvertently create new problems elsewhere in the system.
In the Korn Ferry assessment context, what role does data play in effective decision making?
Answer: Data provides an objective foundation that, combined with expert judgment, reduces uncertainty and improves decision quality
Korn Ferry's framework emphasizes that data-informed decision making combines empirical evidence with experiential judgment, improving accuracy while acknowledging that data alone cannot capture all relevant factors.