Core Principles

Standards | Core Principles

Core Principles

As the standard-setting body for decision excellence, SDP endorses a foundation of core principles, the frameworks and processes that put them into practice, and the criteria for professional certification.

The following core principles are proven, well-established, and the intellectual foundation of SDP's work — informing every program, framework, and conversation the organization engages in. Below is our current draft, which is subject to future revision.

1
Decision-making shapes the future. Decisions are the only way to purposely influence the future. Decision-makers exercise agency by identifying choices and consciously deciding which to pursue.
2
Decisions create commitments. A decision commits people to a course of action. The value is delivered through execution.
3
Decisions cannot be judged by their outcomes. Under uncertainty, a good decision can lead to a bad outcome, and vice versa.
4
The quality of a decision, or lack of it, is built in at the time of commitment. It can be judged by the quality of six elements: frame, alternatives, information, values, logic, and commitment to action.
5
Better decisions increase the likelihood of better outcomes. Better decisions do not guarantee better outcomes, but systematically improve their likelihood.
6
Human nature is not wired to reach good decisions naturally. Biases, emotions, social dynamics, incentives, and organizational context can systematically impair judgment; awareness and effective decision processes help mitigate them.
7
Structure improves decision-making. Decomposing a decision into its elements and structuring them so that normative logic can be applied helps reach the best choice.
8
The decision process is complete when the best alternative is clear and further investment is not justified. Further effort is warranted only while its expected gain exceeds the costs of delay and other resources.
9
Decision skills can be learned. Individuals, teams, and organizations can take advantage of education, practice, experience, reflection, feedback, and continuous improvement. 

Where These Principles Show Up

The core principles aren't just a philosophy - they're built into how SDP defines decision excellence in practice, end to end.


Decision Quality, Decision Dialogue Process, PrOACT, and the other frameworks SDP endorses provide practical ways to put these principles into practice—helping decision makers navigate uncertainty, understand risk, and make their best decisions.

Frameworks & Processes

 SDP’s four certification levels validate a person's ability to apply these core principles, frameworks, and processes in real-world decision work.

Certification

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