[Previous entry: "Songs"] [Main Index] [Next entry: "Best PR in Years"]

04/23/2001 Archived Entry: "NDM"

I read something very interesting in a book today, about Naturalistic Decision Making (NDM). This is where experts take the limited data available to them in any situation and compare it to their vast fund of experiences, and then make quick decisions based on analogies to past experiences.

Arguably, everyone uses NDM. However, it's obviously more effective for those with more varied experiences who are used to having to make quick and definite decisions. And in these cases, NDM gives these experts a huge advantage over others, in every facet of life and work. It's not just enough to have a vast fund of varied experiences (although it is a prerequisite) - it's having the experience and skills to use those experiences that matters, and the confidence (or perhaps sheer arrogance, some might say) that their decisions will be correct.

I can't say that there's a point behind what I've just said about NDM - but to me, seeing NDM spelt out made a lot of sense even though it seems common-sense.

The Question and Answer sessions of the Reith Lectures on ageing are always the best part - read the first question on this page...