CalSTA

California State Transportation Agency

Caltrans

California Department of Transportation

DOT

department of transportation

DOTD

Department of Transportation and Development

IIJA

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

LPA

local public agency

LSU

Louisiana State University

MDMP

military decision-making process

RDM

robust decision-making

UNO

University of Nebraska Omaha

USFWS

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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Front Matter i-xii
Introduction to the Guide 1-2
I Foundations of Decision-Making 3-4
What Makes a Good Decision? 5-6
What Derails Good Decisions? 7-7
Helpful Shortcut or Harmful Bias? 8-9
Values and Ethics 10-10
Common Steps for Decision-Making 11-12
II Strategies to Manage Information 13-14
Get the Right Information from Your Team 15-16
Broaden Your Perspective 17-19
Don't Run from Emotions 20-22
When Is the Information You Have Enough? 23-26
III Strategies to Manage People 27-28
Be Savvy to Politics and External Forces 29-31
Connect with Staff and Internal Forces 32-33
Monitor Group Dynamics 34-37
Balance Multiple Objectives 38-40
IV Strategies to Manage Situations 41-42
Manage Risk and Uncertainty 43-46
Suspend Protocol Strategically 47-49
Navigate Crisis 50-52
V Strategies After the Decision Is Made 53-54
Communicate Your Decision 55-57
Implement Your Decision 58-59
Adapt Your Decisions 60-62
VI Case Studies of Decisions in Action 63-64
Megaproject Delivery in Baton Rouge 65-69
Local Grant Success in Nebraska 70-75
Rural Road Funds Versus Climate Projects in California 76-79
I-85 Bridge Collapse in Atlanta, Georgia 80-86
Expanding Airbags amid Public Outcry 87-91
Changing State Engineering Standards in Maine 92-96
References 97-97
Acronyms 98-98
Appendix: Cognitive Biases 99-106

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Advancing the Art and Science of Decision-Making: A Guide (2026)

Chapter: Acronyms

Acronyms

My Academies

Advancing the Art and Science of Decision-Making: A Guide (2026)

Chapter: Acronyms

Acronyms