Make Decisions like a Navy SEAL

December 10th, 2008

Many years ago I read a book called Unleash the Warrior Within by Richard J. Machowicz. The cover supports a self-empowering title and a picture of the tough-as-nails author. Despite these deterring factors I stuck it out and read the book cover to cover, and it was worth it. Mr. Macho-witz, a former Navy SEAL and practicing Zen Buddhist has provided a viewpoint seldom seen in the self-help genre: the disciplined military perspective.

Despite this book being full of eye-opening models designed to train and develop yourself, one thing really stands out: the CARVER matrix. A well established military analysis tool, the CARVER matrix exists to help select the best targets to attack in wartime.

So can this help the average non-camo-wearing person? Surprisingly, yes. Whenever you have a tough choice to make, the CARVER matrix can help you see clearly and decisively. If it can help people dodging flak, it should work for you. Here’s how to use it in three simple steps:

1. List all your possible options in a given situation as shown:

Option	C	A	R	V	E	R	Total
Find a new job
Go back to school
Start a business
Bum across Europe

2. Assign each option a value of 1-5 in the following areas:

C: Criticality - How essential is it? The importance or doing something.
A: Accessibility - How reasonable it is to do considering whom you are and what you have.
R: Return - How much benefit you get out of your effort; bang for your buck.
(Note: The military version measures “Recuperability” instead of “Return” which is of little use to the average person.)
V: Vulnerability - How easy it is to achieve the goal.
E: Effect - How significant will the positive outcomes be. Also consider negative effects.
R: Recognizability - How clear and discernable the objective is.

3. Add up the totals and see which item ranks as your foremost option. The highest total is the advisable priority.

You will probably find that when struggling with a decision performing this simple exercise will help. Sometimes overexamining options when you have a tough decision to make can bring you to a state of delirium and frustration. The CARVER matrix helps you think with a clear head in stressful situations. If it doesn’t highlight a clear winner, at very least it may help solidify your confidence in choosing a high-ranking option.

If you’re interested in learning more about the CARVER system, consult Appendix D - Target Analysis Process of the US Army’s Special Operations Forces Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Operations file. Admittedly, this is a heavy read. For something much more manageable, grab a copy of Machowicz’s book at Amazon. It received a rating of 4.5 stars from over 80 reviewers and provides a valuable perspective you won’t soon find elsewhere.