Supporting decision-makers operating in extreme environments
Some decision-making environments are characterised by a perfect storm of unfavourable conditions: volatile, complex situations with high stakes and great risk. In these situations, decisions are made under time and social pressure, potentially overwhelming the decision-maker with stress and leading to tragic consequences. Examples include medical emergencies, disaster management, military and civil conflict, or operating in hostile natural environments.
Decision-making in extreme environments can be supported by training, technology and procedures developed using knowledge and tools from behavioural science. Such interventions can help to avoid decision-makers resorting to ‘quick and dirty’ decision-making that can cause bias, for example, escalating commitment to a course of action, groupthink and maladapted behaviour: inherited instincts that no longer work in the modern world.