What should govern the decision to pursue an opportunity?

The most effective approach to deciding whether to pursue an opportunity is by evaluating how well it aligns with the organization's goals and objectives. When an opportunity meets these criteria, it tends to contribute to the long-term vision and strategy of the organization. This alignment ensures that resources are allocated efficiently toward initiatives that support growth and improvement.

Selecting opportunities based solely on factors like immediate customer base or short-lived prospects can lead to decisions that may neglect the bigger picture of the organization's strategic direction. Similarly, while cost-benefit analysis is important, it should be one factor among many and not the sole governing principle. Therefore, ensuring that an opportunity fits within the established framework of organizational aspirations often results in a more sustainable and impactful decision-making process.