Mgt350 Tools & Techniques

In this discussion about decision-making tools and techniques, I will elaborate on a technique called Starbursting. I will describe this technique, discuss when it should and should not be used, and give an example of the proper way to use Starbursting as a decision-making tool.

Starbursting is a form of brainstorming that focuses on generating questions rather than answers. It can be used iteratively, with further layers of questioning about the answers to the initial set of questions. In order to use this tool, you would draw a six pointed star. In the middle of the star would be the main topic of discussion. In each point of the star, you would write the following words, Who, What, Why, Where, When and How. The idea of the exercise is not to answer all of the questions, but to formulate as many questions as possible about the main topic. Then after the questions are written down, you can go back and answer them. Also, depending on the size of the project, you may want to have a starbursting session about one of the proposed questions.

For my example, I will do a starbursting session about a recent situation I just had at my workplace. This situation involves the termination of our Marketing Manager. Using the starbursting tool, I will formulate question about the termination of this employee.

For the Who section of the exercise, I will ask the following questions. Who is being terminated? Who will this affect? Who has been affected already? Who will terminate her employment? All of these questions will allow us to further brainstorm, and better prepare for the situation that will be.

In the next section of the star, we will discuss What. What has this person done incorrectly? What was this person hired to do? What will we do about replacing this person? What is the best thing to do for the company? What are the costs of terminating this employee? What do we owe this employee upon termination?

The why section of the star will be the most...