Amua – 1. decide, judge, resolve. 2. end a
dispute, stop a quarrel.
Verb
-amua (infinitive kuamua)
1.
to decide, to judge
2.
to end a dispute
Nominal
derivations:
muamuzi
(“judge, arbitrator, referee, umpire”)
Njia - 1 path, road, way. 2 method, means,
alternatives
Etymology
From
Proto-Bantu *njɪ̀dà.
In
many discourses on decision-making the idea of “alternatives” is widely
tackled. It is important to note that the idea of alternatives in indigenous
Kiswahili lexicography is represented by njia (method/means/pathway).
This implies that there is one constant goal but pathways to achieving it may be
many. Therefore, the Arabic loanword “badili” and its derivatives often used as
translation for alternatives is incorrect and misleading.
Badili - 1 substitute, adapt, inflect, change: ~ zamu change guard. 2 (bidhaa) exchange, barter: ~fedha change money (into smaller units or another currency). Loaned from بديل ‘badil’.
This
is clearly a different idea that may cause confusion and being misled. There is
no clear goal in “badili”, only exchanges and substitutions.
Framework
Framing
is clarifying the decision we’re tackling. To properly frame a decision, we
need to define what it is that we are deciding, what we are not deciding, what
we should take as given, and what goals we wish to achieve.
A decision
frame has three components: (1) Perspective—our point of view about this
decision, consideration of other ways to approach it, how others might approach
it. In an environment of competing interests, there should be consideration of
points of conflict and/or cooperation;
(2) Scope—what to include and exclude in the decision and;
(3) Purpose—what we hope to accomplish by this decision.
To
begin:
1.
State the problem (what it is, what it is not, what the issues are).
2.
Determine whether this is part of a bigger decision that should be addressed right
now.
3.
Determine whether you may be covering too much ground.
Tools
and good practice:
1.
Statement of vision, purpose, short-term and long-term goals
2.
List of things taken as a given
3.
List of logical and sentimental issues
4.
Brainstorming
5.
Consult with others for important and/or life-shaping decisions. Expanding and
contracting the frame—try multiple frames before settling on one that’s best.
Trying
multiple frames also entails looking at various alternatives that are
immediately apparent. An alternative is one of the possible courses of action
available. Without alternatives/paths, we have no decision but compulsion. Good
alternatives are (1) under our control, (2) significantly different, (3)
potentially attractive, and (4) doable.
References
https://www.decisioneducation.org/.
retrieved 07th August 2023
TUKI (2001), Kamusi Ya
Kiswahili-Kiingereza; Swahili-English Dictionary. Published by Taasisi ya
Uchunguzi wa Kiswahili (TUKI), Chuo Kikuu cha Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
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