119 7. Combination At some point during evaluation, problem-solving and decision-making teams may find that two or more items on the list do not conflict. Solutions that complement each other could work well together. A useful decision-making tool is to categorize the remaining options. Then, by combining solutions within a category, you can shorten the list for your final choice. You can pool creative thinking on each alternative within a category for more workable outcomes. Decision making then boils down to a simpler job of comparing categories. The top three options on the Consumer Tech list aren't mutually exclusive. In fact, all have benefits. After some consideration, the management team decided to combine items 9, 6, and 7. Their list now reads like this: Consumer Tech Options List 9, 6, 7 Hire a consultant mediator (9), fully brief the Board of Directors (6), and develop a joint planning process with the Board (7). 1 Let the president decide and get the dissenters in line.