DECISION ANALYSIS

A systematic, quantitative and visual approach to addressing and evaluating important choices confronted by businesses. Decision analysis utilizes a variety of tools to evaluate all relevant information to aid in the decision making process. A graphical representation of alternatives and possible solutions, as well as challenges and uncertainties, can be created on a decision tree or influence diagram. Decision analysis can be employed by large corporations when making multi-billion dollar capital investments. Critics of decision analysis cite "analysis paralysis" - the over-thinking of a situation to the point that no decision can be made - as a negative and likely outcome of decision analysis practices.