Skip to main content

The Logic of Successful Systems Decisions

Key Insights
#

  • The Systems Decision Process (SDP) is a structured approach to making complex decisions in systems engineering and management.
  • SDP emphasizes the importance of defining the problem clearly before seeking solutions.
  • Value-focused thinking is a core principle of SDP, guiding decision-makers to prioritize objectives and outcomes.
  • The process involves multiple stages, including problem definition, solution design, and decision analysis.
  • Effective decision-making in complex systems requires consideration of trade-offs, uncertainties, and stakeholder perspectives.

References
#

  1. Project Management Institute. (2004). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (3rd ed.). Project Management Institute.
  2. Kirkwood, C. W. (1997). Strategic decision making: Multiple objective decision analysis with spreadsheets. Duxbury Press.
  3. Parnell, G. S., & Trainor, T. E. (2009). Using the swing weight matrix to weight multiple objectives. In Proceedings of the INCOSE International Symposium.
  4. Keeney, R. L. (1992). Value-focused thinking: A path to creative decisionmaking. Harvard University Press.
  5. Parnell, G. S. (2007). Value-focused thinking. In A. G. Loerch & L. B. Rainey (Eds.), Methods for conducting military operational analysis (pp. 619–656). Military Operations Research Society.
  6. Parnell, G. S., Driscoll, P. J., & Henderson, D. L. (Eds.). (2011). Decision making in systems engineering and management (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  7. Parnell, G. S., Driscoll, P. J., & Henderson, D. L. (2011). Introduction. In G. S. Parnell, P. J. Driscoll, & D. L. Henderson (Eds.), Decision making in systems engineering and management (2nd ed., pp. 1–24). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  8. Parnell, G. S., Driscoll, P. J., & Henderson, D. L. (2011). Systems decision process overview. In G. S. Parnell, P. J. Driscoll, & D. L. Henderson (Eds.), Decision making in systems engineering and management (2nd ed., pp. 275–295). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  9. Trainor, T., & Parnell, G. S. (2011). Problem definition. In G. S. Parnell, P. J. Driscoll, & D. L. Henderson (Eds.), Decision making in systems engineering and management (2nd ed., pp. 297–352). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  10. West, P. D. (2011). Solution design. In G. S. Parnell, P. J. Driscoll, & D. L. Henderson (Eds.), Decision making in systems engineering and management (2nd ed., pp. 353–393). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.