Make Better Quality Decisions with the Help of This Spreadsheet

The best way to tackle a problem—whether it's something big like what car to buy or as small as where to eat out—is to evaluate the possible solutions. This Excel spreadsheet helps weigh all your options and find the best choice.

To use the decision making tool, enter up to five values or qualities you consider important about the decision in question and then rank them. In the example provided, when looking for a vacation spot, you might want to go somewhere warm, relaxing, inexpensive, and nearby. Then list the possible options (e.g., Florida, Bermuda) and score them against each quality. The spreadsheet will automatically calculate a final tally and show you the most desirable choice.
Whether or not you geek out like I do over charts and pros and cons lists, this tool from Idea Sandbox might help make tough decisions a little bit easier.
Idea Sandbox: Decision Making Tool | Idea Sandbox