You're a food scientist who needs to make a critical decision. What do you do?

As a food scientist, you may face situations where you have to make a critical decision that affects the quality, safety, or innovation of your products. How do you approach such a challenge and what factors do you consider? In this article, we will explore some steps and tips to help you make sound and ethical decisions in your field.

1 Identify the problem

The first step is to clearly define the problem that you need to solve or the question that you need to answer. What is the goal or objective of your decision? What are the constraints or requirements that you have to meet? What are the risks or uncertainties that you have to deal with? You may need to gather relevant data, information, or feedback from various sources, such as customers, suppliers, regulators, or colleagues, to understand the problem better.

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Nasim Adibpour

Idea Acquisition Manager, Food Science and Biotechnology , Researcher
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Gather all available data, analyze the potential outcomes, consult with relevant experts or stakeholders, and weigh the risks and benefits before making the critical decision.

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Durga Devi Prakash Rajalakshmi

"STILL LEARNING" | Passionate Food Technologist | Researcher in "Alternative Protein" | Innovator in "Plant Based Products" | Winner @ISPIC'23
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As a Food tech or scientific person, the ways should be follow : Focus on the problem Need to make a solution with two or more ways w.r.t the current market technologies. Based on some research and scientific background, the solution should be followed. Monitoring the critical problem and analyse to make the data related content. Integral team members plays an important role - Team discussion leads. Based on availability and discussion, the solution will implement.

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SAHAR GORGANI

Master of "Food Science Technology Engineering" and "Italian Food and Wine"
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As a food scientist, when faced with a critical decision, I adhere to a systematic process: -Define the problem. -Gather information. -Analyze options. -Consider stakeholders. -Assess risks. -Make an informed decision. -Develop an implementation plan. -Monitor and evaluate. -Document the process. -Continuously learn and improve.

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2 Generate alternatives

The next step is to brainstorm and generate possible solutions or options for your problem. You may use different methods, such as research, experimentation, simulation, or consultation, to come up with creative and feasible ideas. You may also use tools, such as SWOT analysis, decision matrix, or decision tree, to organize and evaluate your alternatives. You should aim to have at least two or three viable alternatives that meet your criteria and objectives.

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KOUADIO WILLIAMS KOUAME

+ 10K Expert en Management Qualité Hygiène Santé Sécurité et Environnement-MASE| Environnementaliste| Consultant-Formateur| Créateur de solutions innovantes pour la gestion des Organisations (PME-PMI)
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Pour toute prise de décision, en tant qu'une personne qui est sensé veiller sur l'hygiène et la sécurité de l'alimentation, il serait très important de mener des enquêtes en se basant sur les faits existants. Ainsi pour une bonne prise de décision cruciale dans ce domaine très particulier, comme celui de l'alimentation, des confrontations de résultats de l'activité et du contours du problème doivent être inspecter en long et en large et tenir compte de l'usage des outils de prise de décision.

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3 Assess impacts

The third step is to assess the impacts and consequences of each alternative on your stakeholders, such as consumers, employees, investors, or society. You may use quantitative or qualitative measures, such as cost-benefit analysis, life cycle assessment, or ethical analysis, to compare and contrast the pros and cons of each option. You should consider the short-term and long-term effects, as well as the direct and indirect effects, of your decision.

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KOUADIO WILLIAMS KOUAME

+ 10K Expert en Management Qualité Hygiène Santé Sécurité et Environnement-MASE| Environnementaliste| Consultant-Formateur| Créateur de solutions innovantes pour la gestion des Organisations (PME-PMI)
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Une prise de décision éclairée du scientifique réconforte et renforce la confiance du client vis à vis de l'entreprise. Ainsi en agro-alimentaire, il convient d'être très stricte dans la quête de résultats car les impacts sont très souvent irréversibles. Une mauvaise décision, mauvais résultat qui peut aboutir à des conflits internes.

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4 Choose the best option

The fourth step is to choose the best option based on your analysis and judgment. You should weigh the trade-offs and priorities of your decision and select the option that maximizes the benefits and minimizes the costs or risks. You should also be confident and transparent about your choice and be ready to justify and explain it to others.

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5 Implement the decision

The fifth step is to implement your decision and execute your plan. You should communicate your decision clearly and effectively to your stakeholders and get their support and feedback. You should also monitor and evaluate the results and outcomes of your decision and make adjustments or corrections if needed. You should also document and record your decision process and learn from your experience.

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KOUADIO WILLIAMS KOUAME

+ 10K Expert en Management Qualité Hygiène Santé Sécurité et Environnement-MASE| Environnementaliste| Consultant-Formateur| Créateur de solutions innovantes pour la gestion des Organisations (PME-PMI)
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Le prise de décision doit être forcement basé sur un retour d'expérience et d'expertise du domaine d'activité au risque de passer à côté de l'essentiel du travail. Le scientifique en alimentation doit comprendre cela.

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6 Review and improve

The final step is to review and improve your decision making skills and performance. You should reflect on your decision process and outcome and identify what worked well and what did not. You should also seek feedback and suggestions from others and learn from their perspectives and experiences. You should also update your knowledge and skills and look for new opportunities and challenges to improve your decision making abilities.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Stéphane N. KOUAME

QHSE-Food Safety Manager | QHSE Auditor | Ninja de la Qualité
(edited)
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Les décisions dans le domaine alimentaire doivent être fondées sur l'expérience et les preuves. En effet, l'image de l'entreprise et la santé du consommateur sont en jeu. Une décision cruciale dans le domaine alimentaire doit être la sommation des idées des collaborateurs.

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You're a food scientist who needs to make a critical decision. What do you do?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify the problem

2 Generate alternatives

3 Assess impacts

4 Choose the best option

5 Implement the decision

6 Review and improve

7 Here’s what else to consider

Food Science

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You're a food scientist who needs to make a critical decision. What do you do?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify the problem

2 Generate alternatives

3 Assess impacts

4 Choose the best option

5 Implement the decision

6 Review and improve

7 Here’s what else to consider

Food Science

Rate this article

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