Decision-making and problem-solving abilities are now the most sought-after traits in up-and-coming executives, according to a recent survey of 1,000 executives by Caliper Associates, as reported in The Wall Street Journal . To put it mildly, decision makers and problem solvers have limitless career potential.

Decision making and problem solving in today’s electronic world encompass large-scale, opportunity-oriented, strategically focused solutions. The traditional “cookbook” approach to decision making simply will not work. This chapter focuses on technology to help make decisions, solve problems, and fi nd new innovative opportunities. The chapter also highlights how to bring people together with the best IT processes and tools in complete, fl exible solutions that can seize business opportunities and combat business challenges (see Figure 2.1 ).