What Does the 'Evaluate' Step in the DECIDE Model Focus On? Explained

Okay, let's get this straight – aviation is an industry built on precision, right? We're talking about flight instructors, students taking the FOI exam, flying at night, in clouds, maybe giving a passenger a little fright if things go wrong... So, it’s no surprise that solid tools for decision-making are essential. And let’s talk about that ace up the sleeve for flight ops: DECIDE.

Yep, we’ve probably thrown this acronym around quite a bit. It’s designed to break down the process of making decisions under pressure. Whether you're dealing with an unexpected wind shear, a system malfunction, or just trying to navigate the tricky social dynamics in the back cockpit, DECIDE provides a sensible pathway. The idea is to consciously, methodically, and thoroughly go through each step, not just wing it. Thinking processes are tools, like handpros, or the feel of a perfectly set-up panel – they just need to be done right.

Now, here’s where the "Evaluate" part comes in. You've got this process: Decide, Expect, Check, Identify, Decision, Execute. DECIDE is six steps, remember? You might have seen variations, but the standard DECIDE model includes six distinct stages.

So you tell me, what's the point of all that effort if you don't really look at the results? You fly the airplane – or teach someone else to – you're executing actions based on a decision. But what good does that do if you don't actually check in and see if things are getting better? That’s where Evaluate steps in.

"Wait a minute," I imagine some folks might think, "Is that step about checking gauges? Or talking to ATC? Those are Execute or Check kind of things?'" Let’s clear that up. The Evaluate step is specifically about looking back, not just forward. It’s not about checking if the fuel burn is right (that might be part of Execute or Check, depending on the flight), nor is it about discussing cabin pressure with FCOM pages.

Think of it this way: imagine you're guiding a student through that tricky crosswind landing pattern. You tell 'em the plan – Decision. You expect the wind to hold, maybe anticipate some drift – Expect. You check the approach speed and rudder inputs – Check. You identify any drift developing – Identify. Then you make the decision to adjust the rudder a bit more aggressively – and that's the Decision step concluding. Now, you execute the inputs – Execute. But the Evaluate step after that... you're looking back.

How'd you do? Was the correction too aggressive or just right? Did the airplane track straight now? Did the outcome match what you expected to happen after you made that specific decision? That's the Evaluation.

It’s a bit more nuanced than just slapping a "Job's done" sticker on things. In aviation, Evaluation isn't just feeling good about it. It’s a disciplined part of the process. It involves asking: "Are things better now than they were when I identified the problem, if my decision was successful?" It’s assessing the effectiveness or success of the actions you just took. Did that rudder correction solve the drift? Or did it just transfer the problem sideways? Did talking to ATC get you the vectors you needed more quickly, or did you block with the controller?

This part is all about that learning loop – the same kind of thing you might encounter when troubleshooting a complex avionics issue, or debriefing a cross-country after landing. You can't just fly, decide, and execute in a vacuum. You've gotta look back and learn, haven't you? That’s precisely what the Evaluate step does. It helps you understand what worked, what didn’t, and importantly, why.

This isn't just an exercise in looking at the outcome of one maneuver; it often leads you to think deeper. For instance, if fixing the drift with one rudder input didn't work on the first go (as per some flight simulator theory... or maybe in reality...), what did that tell you about your energy state or the approach speed? This isn't just about doing; it’s about thinking about why you did it and why the outcome was what it was.

And here's something maybe a little more tangential, but really quite spot on: this reflective part – Evaluating, learning from it – builds resilience. Every seasoned pilot, I feel, gets it. It’s not just about flying the plane; it’s about understanding its behaviour, understanding the environment, and adapting based on what you know. So you're not just reading the checklist one time, you're incorporating what you learned into future planning and execution... That builds confidence and reduces errors long-term.

Maybe you're dealing with a more significant situation, like altitude alerting. Perhaps during approach, you get that sudden 'TERRain' or 'GPWS' alert. You go through DECIDE: Decide to go missed, Expect what that means in terms of timing and traffic, Check altimeters and navigation, Identify the deviation – it's low, below glideslope. Then you Execute the recovery. But then Evaluate: Did that recovery to the new assigned altitude transition smoothly? What caused the deviation initially? Was it workload? Winds? Did the automation behave unexpectedly? These Evaluations form the bedrock of your situational awareness. It helps you understand not just the how but the why.

This process is woven into flight training and a large part of air safety culture, whether you're working in the CFI FOI field or elsewhere. It ties all the steps together.

The Evaluate step is crucial because it ensures we're actually improving. It helps define the standard for what we mean by a good decision or a successful action taken. If you don't evaluate, you can't properly decide or adjust for the future. It’s about ensuring you're solving the problem effectively, not just attempting a surface fix. You’re looking at the whole picture: what did you try? Did it work? Why? Was it the right solution or was it a work-around?

It sounds simple when you put it this way, doesn't it? But when the pressure’s on, when the radio squawk goes off, or when you’re faced with an unexpected situation, consciously stepping back and evaluating effectively is something you can learn and really grow into – and that contributes to safer flight operations.

So, when someone asks you, "What does Evaluate in DECIDE do?" – you know exactly what I'm talking about. It’s about not just flying the plane, or teaching someone else to, but getting the insights that keep you and your passengers ahead of the situation. It’s a vital part of keeping that aviation glass clean and clear at every step of the process.