Final answer:
Sandra is utilizing strategic decision making by analyzing sales trends, city planning documents, and census maps to determine the location for a new ice cream shop.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sandra is engaged in strategic decision making. This type of decision making entails long-term planning and considering external market conditions, such as year-over-year sales trends, city planning documents, and census maps, to make informed choices about business growth.
In contrast to operational, tactical, or gut-level decision making, strategic decisions involve a higher level of planning for future success and are typically made by upper management within a company. Sandra's approach to opening a third location for her ice cream shop exemplifies the strategic planning necessary for expanding her business's reach and capitalizing on market opportunities.