The Senior Manager Opinion approach, or SMO, is a decision-making strategy developed to help evaluate proposals. This approach involves getting the input of a group of senior managers to help guide a decision. It is a popular decision-making technique with many advantages, including: obtaining expert input, ensuring a well-rounded group is involved, and providing an objective point of view.
The SMO approach is commonly used when a decision must be made regarding a particular proposal or project. A senior manager is required to put together a panel of experts in the relevant field to advise the decision maker on the merits of the proposal. This panel includes both internal and external stakeholders and must be given clear knowledge about the proposal for the best possible decision to be made. The senior manager convenes the panel and outlines the facts of the proposal and then allows the panel to discuss and debate the pros and cons of the project.
The senior manager then evaluates the input of each panel member in order to come to a consensus decision. It is very important that the senior manager remains impartial and takes into consideration all points of view when making a decision. This is why the senior manager does not take part in the panel discussion and is only responsible for the decision making. This ensures that the decision is not clouded by the opinions of any one individual.
Once the senior manager has come to a decision, the outcome is translated into a report and presented to the decision maker. The report includes all arguments and opinions put forward in the panel discussions and serves as a basis for the decision. The senior manager may also provide additional information regarding the potential risks and opportunities associated with implementing the proposal.
The SMO approach is an effective way to gather opinions and make decisions about complex proposals or projects. It allows for a wide range of perspectives to be heard, provides an unbiased viewpoint, and can be completed fairly quickly when compared to other decision-making processes. It is also important to note that the SMO approach can be used with both short-term and long-term projects, allowing for more flexibility in decision making.
Overall, the Senior Manager Opinion approach is a valuable tool for many organizations when it comes to evaluating and making decisions on proposals or projects. By facilitating an unbiased discussion and evaluation of the proposed project, this approach allows organizations to make informed decisions that will help them reach their goals.