Which step comes first in the three-step decision-making process?

The first step in the three-step decision-making process is understanding the problem. This is crucial because before any effective decisions can be made, it's essential to clearly identify and comprehend the issue at hand. Understanding the problem involves analyzing the situation, recognizing the underlying causes, and pinpointing the specific challenges that need to be addressed.

When individuals or teams take the time to thoroughly grasp the nature of a problem, they set a strong foundation for effective decision-making. If this critical step is skipped or rushed, the subsequent phases—selecting strategies, looking back, or gathering feedback—may not yield effective solutions since they would be addressing a misunderstanding of the initial issue. Therefore, starting with a clear understanding ensures that the right strategies can be developed to tackle the problem effectively.