Baird Method: 4+1 Decision Process

Baird Method: 4+1 Decision Process

As you work your way through the ethical decision that is part of this simulation, you will go through five decision points. These decision points are the five steps that comprise the Baird Method: 4+1 Decision Process.

Step 1: Be Attentive

* The Task: During this portion of the decision process, you are asked to pay attention to what is going on in your surroundings. What are the facts? Who has to make the decision? What problem needs to be solved?

* The Tools: You are provided with several sources of information to help you figure out what is going on in this situation:

o E-mails: you will be given the factual background in a series of e-mails.

o Background Information: Behind this link is additional data about the university

o Issue: You will be asked to identify the correct issue for this dilemma.

Step 2: Be Intelligent

* The Task: During this portion of the decision process, you are asked to evaluate the situation. Who are the stakeholders? What values are important to the stakeholders?

* The Tools: You will be asked to identify the stakeholders for this particular dilemma.

Step 3: Be Reasonable

* The Task: During this portion of the decision process, you are asked to apply the ethical values and legal principles identified during the preceding step to the specific problem you face. The goal is to allow you to use your critical thinking skills to identify the option that will best meet the requirements of the law as well as the most important personal and organizational values

* The Tools: Each ethical lens uses different criteria for determining whether or not an option is ethical. These criteria are called decision tools. Your task will be to evaluate the dilemma using these decision tools.

o Rights/Responsibility Lens: What are your duties?

o Results Lens: What option will make the most stakeholders the happiest?

o Relationship Lens: What process guarantees basic rights?

o Reputation Lens: What virtues allow you to excel in your role?

Step 4: Be Responsible

* The Task: During this portion of the decision process, you will make your final choice and explain it to a colleague or supervisor.

* The Tools: You will have three opportunities to exercise responsibility:

o Choice for each lens: After using the tools of each ethical lens, you will be asked to make a choice that represents the best