Qualitative and quantitative characteristics
i. Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative characteristics.
ii. At what point in the six-step decision-making process do the qualitative characteristics have an impact?

i. Qualitative characteristics are factors in a decision situation that cannot be expressed effectively in numerical terms. Quantitative factors are those that can be analysed and represented in a suitable manner through financial or numerical analysis.
ii. The qualitative characteristics have an impact at the last step of the process when they are brought together with the results of the quantitative analysis developed during the first five steps. However, in some situations, the qualitative characteristics may shape the choice of alternatives (step three). For example, some alternatives may be rejected immediately because of ethical considerations.