The most effective method is to rank a group of alternative solutions, in initial priority order, and evaluate each of them separately before reaching a final conclusion.
Onefinalstep remains, in that TQM emphasizes the need to seek continuous improvement to any problem situation, even after a solution has been found, and this brings into the process a need for innovation and an unwillingness to accept that "because it works well, there is no more to be done" — there are always better ways to do something, as experience is gained!