Decide what the decision really has to accomplish. Be prepared to do what is right rather than what is convenient or acceptable. Know that nothing is going to happen until the decision is converted to action. You are going to need a feed back system to compare the results of your decision or action. In other words you have to test the results.
Generic problems require a specification, standard, rule, policy or principle.
It is only then that manifestations of the same generic situation can be handled intelligently. The individual occurrence is only a symptom of a much larger problem. The seal is failing because of shaft deflection caused by starting the pump with the discharge valve shut in an attempt to save power. The shaft has to be stabilized or this problem will reoccur each time the equipment is started. It is a unique event for the individual, but actually is a generic problem.