Recognition-Primed Decision Making (Klein)

Gary Klein's model of how experienced professionals make rapid, effective decisions under pressure. Rather than comparing options, experts use pattern recognition to identify a situation type, mentally simulate an action, and modify if the simulation reveals problems. This works because experience builds a repertoire of patterns. The implication: in domains where you have extensive experience, trust your intuition; in unfamiliar domains, slow down and use analytical methods.

When to use it

When facing strategic decisions under uncertainty; when multiple stakeholders have competing interests; when the stakes are high and reversibility is low.

How it can help

Provides frameworks for navigating competitive landscapes, allocating resources under uncertainty, and making high-stakes decisions with incomplete information.