Which statement best differentiates anticipatory decision-making from reactive decision-making?

• A. Reactive decisions respond to events as they unfold
• B. They are based on forecasts and warnings
• C. They require no information
• D. They are identical in timing to anticipatory decisions

Answer: (A)

Differentiating anticipatory from reactive decision-making hinges on when you act and what informs the decision. Reactive decisions respond to events as they unfold, adjusting to conditions in real time. Anticipatory decisions are driven by forecasts and warnings and are made before events occur to shape outcomes. The statement about reactive decisions responding to events as they unfold is the best differentiator because it directly contrasts acting after events begin with planning ahead using forecast data. The other statements don’t fit: basing decisions on forecasts and warnings describes anticipatory decision-making; requiring no information isn’t realistic for decision-making; and being identical in timing to anticipatory decisions would erase the timing distinction.