Decision Analysis

Slides by
John
Loucks
St. Edward’s
University
1
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Chapter 4: Decision Analysis
 Problem Formulation
 Decision Making without Probabilities
 Decision Making with Probabilities
 Risk Analysis and Sensitivity Analysis
 Decision Analysis with Sample Information
 Computing Branch Probabilities
2
Decision Analysis
 Decision analysis can be used to develop an optimal

strategy when a decision maker is faced with several
decision alternatives and an uncertain or risk-filled
pattern of future events.
 Even when a careful decision analysis has been
conducted, the uncertain future events make the final
consequence uncertain.
 The risk associated with any decision alternative is a
direct result of the uncertainty associated with the final
consequence.
 Good decision analysis includes risk analysis that
provides probability information about the favorable as
well as the unfavorable consequences that may occur.
3
Problem Formulation
 A decision problem is characterized by decision

alternatives, states of nature, and resulting payoffs.
 The decision alternatives are the different possible
strategies the decision maker can employ.
 The states of nature refer to future events, not
under the control of the decision maker, which may
occur. States of nature should be defined so that
they are mutually exclusive and collectively
exhaustive.
4
Example: Pittsburgh Development Corp.
Pittsburgh Development Corporation (PDC)

purchased land that will be the site of a new luxury
condominium complex. PDC commissioned
preliminary architectural drawings for three different
projects: one with 30, one with 60, and one with 90
condominiums.
The financial success of the project depends upon
the size of the condominium complex and the chance
event concerning the demand for the condominiums.
The statement of the PDC decision problem is to
select the size of the new complex that will lead to the
largest profit given the uncertainty concerning the
demand for the condominiums.
5
Influence Diagrams
 An influence diagram is a graphical device showing

the relationships among the decisions, the chance
events, and the consequences.
 Squares or rectangles depict decision nodes.
 Circles or ovals depict chance nodes.
 Diamonds depict consequence nodes.
 Lines or arcs connecting the nodes show the direction
of influence.
6
Influence Diagrams
Decision
Demand for the
Chance Condominiums
Consequence
Complex
Profit
Size
7
Payoff Tables
 The consequence resulting from a specific

combination of a decision alternative and a state of
nature is a payoff.
 A table showing payoffs for all combinations of
decision alternatives and states of nature is a payoff
table.
 Payoffs can be expressed in terms of profit, cost, time,
distance or any other appropriate measure.
8
Consider the following problem with three decision

alternatives and two states of nature with the following
payoff table representing profits:
PAYOFF TABLE States of Nature

Strong Demand Weak Demand
Decision Alternative s1 s2
Small complex, d1 8 7
Medium complex, d2 14 5
Large complex, d3 20 -9
9
Decision Making without Probabilities
 Three commonly used criteria for decision making

when probability information regarding the
likelihood of the states of nature is unavailable are:
• the optimistic approach
• the conservative approach
• the minimax regret approach.
10
Optimistic Approach
 The optimistic approach would be used by an

optimistic decision maker.
 The decision with the largest possible payoff is
chosen.
 If the payoff table was in terms of costs, the decision
with the lowest cost would be chosen.
11
Example: Optimistic Approach
An optimistic decision maker would use the

optimistic (maximax) approach. We choose the
decision that has the largest single value in the payoff
table.
Maximum
Decision Payoff
Maximax d1 8 Maximax
decision payoff
d2 14
d3 20
12
Conservative Approach
 The conservative approach would be used by a

conservative decision maker.
 For each decision the minimum payoff is listed and
then the decision corresponding to the maximum of
these minimum payoffs is selected. (Hence, the
minimum possible payoff is maximized.)
 If the payoff was in terms of costs, the maximum
costs would be determined for each decision and
then the decision corresponding to the minimum of
these maximum costs is selected. (Hence, the
maximum possible cost is minimized.)
13
Example: Conservative Approach
A conservative decision maker would use the

conservative (maximin) approach. List the minimum
payoff for each decision. Choose the decision with
the maximum of these minimum payoffs.
Maximin Minimum
decision Decision Payoff Maximin
payoff
d1 7
d2 5
d3 -9
14
Minimax Regret Approach
 The minimax regret approach requires the

construction of a regret table or an opportunity loss
table.
 This is done by calculating for each state of nature
the difference between each payoff and the largest
payoff for that state of nature.
 Then, using this regret table, the maximum regret for
each possible decision is listed.
 The decision chosen is the one corresponding to the
minimum of the maximum regrets.
15
Example: Minimax Regret Approach
For the minimax regret approach, first compute a

regret table by subtracting each payoff in a column from
the largest payoff in that column. In this example, in the
first column subtract 8, 14, and 20 from 20; etc.
States of Nature
REGRET TABLE
Strong Demand Weak Demand
Decision Alternative s1 s2
Small complex, d1 12 0
Medium complex, d2 6 2
Large complex, d3 0 16
16
Example: Minimax Regret Approach
For each decision list the maximum regret.

Choose the decision with the minimum of these
values.
Maximum
Decision Regret Minimax
d1 12 regret
d2 6
d3 16
Minimax
decision
17
Decision Making with Probabilities
 Expected Value Approach

• If probabilistic information regarding the states of
nature is available, one may use the expected
value (EV) approach.
• Here the expected return for each decision is
calculated by summing the products of the payoff
under each state of nature and the probability of
the respective state of nature occurring.
• The decision yielding the best expected return is
chosen.
18
Expected Value of a Decision Alternative
 The expected value of a decision alternative is the

sum of weighted payoffs for the decision alternative.
 The expected value (EV) of decision alternative di is
defined as:
𝑁

EV ( 𝑑 𝑖 )=∑ 𝑃 ( 𝑠 𝑗 ) 𝑉 𝑖𝑗
𝑗=1
where: N = the number of states of nature

P(sj ) = the probability of state of nature sj
Vij = the payoff corresponding to decision
alternative di and state of nature sj
19
Expected Value Approach
Calculate the expected value for each decision.

The decision tree on the next slide can assist in this
calculation. Here d1, d2, and d3 represent the
decision alternatives of building a small, medium, and
large complex, while s1 and s2 represent the states of
nature of strong demand and weak demand.
20
Decision Tree
 A decision tree is a chronological representation of

the decision problem.
 Each decision tree has two types of nodes; round
nodes correspond to the states of nature while
square nodes correspond to the decision alternatives.
 The branches leaving each round node represent the

different states of nature while the branches leaving
each square node represent the different decision
alternatives.
 At the end of each limb of a tree are the payoffs
attained from the series of branches making up that
limb.
21
Decision Tree
Payoffs
s1 .8
$8 mil
2 s2 .2
d1 $7 mil
s1 .8
d2 $14 mil
1 3 s2 .2
d3 $5 mil
s1 .8
$20 mil
4 s2 .2
-$9 mil
22
Expected Value for Each Decision
EMV = .8(8 mil) + .2(7 mil) = $7.8 mil

Small d1 2
EMV = .8(14 mil) + .2(5 mil) = $12.2 mil

Medium d2
1 3
EMV = .8(20 mil) + .2(-9 mil) = $14.2 mil

Large d3 4
Choose the decision alternative with the largest EV.

Build the large complex.
23
Expected Value of Perfect Information
 Frequently information is available which can

improve the probability estimates for the states of
nature.
 The expected value of perfect information (EVPI) is
the increase in the expected profit that would result if
one knew with certainty which state of nature would
occur.
 The EVPI provides an upper bound on the expected
value of any sample or survey information.
24
 EVPI Calculation
• Step 1:
Determine the optimal return
corresponding to each state of nature.
• Step 2:
Compute the expected value of these
optimal returns.
• Step 3:
Subtract the EV of the optimal decision
from the amount determined in step (2).
25
 Expected Value with Perfect Information (EVwPI)

EVwPI = .8(20 mil) + .2(7 mil) = $17.4 mil
 Expected Value without Perfect Information (EVwoPI)

EVwoPI = .8(20 mil) + .2(-9 mil) = $14.2 mil
 Expected Value of Perfect Information (EVPI)
EVPI = |EVwPI – EVwoPI| = |17.4 – 14.2| = $3.2 mil
26
Risk Analysis
 Risk analysis helps the decision maker recognize the

difference between:
• the expected value of a decision alternative, and
• the payoff that might actually occur
 The risk profile for a decision alternative shows the
possible payoffs for the decision alternative along with
their associated probabilities.
27
Risk Profile
 Large Complex Decision Alternative
1.00
.80
Probability
.60
.40
.20
-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20
Profit ($ millions)
28
Sensitivity Analysis
 Sensitivity analysis can be used to determine how

changes to the following inputs affect the
recommended decision alternative:
• probabilities for the states of nature
• values of the payoffs
 If a small change in the value of one of the inputs
causes a change in the recommended decision
alternative, extra effort and care should be taken in
estimating the input value.
29
Decision Analysis with Sample Information
 Frequently, decision makers have preliminary or prior

probability assessments for the states of nature that
are the best probability values available at that time.
 To make the best possible decision, the decision
maker may want to seek additional information about
the states of nature.
 This new information, often obtained through
sampling, can be used to revise the prior probabilities
so that the final decision is based on more accurate
probabilities for the states of nature.
 These revised probabilities are called posterior
probabilities.
30
Let us return to the PDC problem and assume

that management is considering a 6-month market
research study designed to learn more about
potential market acceptance of the PDC
condominium project. Management anticipates that
the market research study will provide one of the
following two results:
1. Favorable report: A significant number of the
individuals contacted express interest in
purchasing a PDC condominium.
2. Unfavorable report: Very few of the individuals
contacted express interest in purchasing a PDC
condominium.
31
Influence Diagram
Decision Market Demand

Chance Survey for the
Consequence Results Condominiums
Market Complex
Profit
Survey Size
32
Sample Information
PDC has developed the following branch

probabilities.
If the market research study is undertaken:
P(Favorable report) = P(F) = .77

P(Unfavorable report) = P(U) = .23
If the market research report is favorable:
P(Strong demand | favorable report) = P(s1|F) = .94

P(Weak demand | favorable report) = P(s2|F) = .06
33
Sample Information
If the market research report is unfavorable:
P(Strong demand | unfavorable report) = P(s1|U) = .35

P(Weak demand | unfavorable report) = P(s2|U) = .65
If the market research study is not undertaken, the prior

probabilities are applicable:
P(Favorable report) = P(F) = .80

P(Unfavorable report) = P(U) = .20
34
Decision Tree
s1
d1 6 s2 P(s1) = .94 $ 8 mil
P(s2) = .06 $ 7 mil
d2 s1 P(s1) = .94 $14 mil
F 3 7 s2
d3 P(s2) = .06 $ 5 mil
(.77) s1 P(s1) = .94 $20 mil
Conduct 8 s2 P(s2) = .06 -$ 9 mil
2 s1 P(s1) = .35 $ 8 mil
Market d1 9 s2
Research P(s2) = .65 $ 7 mil
U d2 s1
Study P(s1) = .35 $14 mil
(.23) 4 10 s2
d3 P(s2) = .65 $ 5 mil
1 s1
11 s2 P(s1) = .35 $20 mil
s1 P(s2) = .65 -$ 9 mil
d1 12 s2 P(s1) = .80 $ 8 mil
Do Not Conduct P(s2) = .20 $ 7 mil
d2 s1
Market Research 5 13 P(s1) = .80 $14 mil
s2
Study d3 s1 P(s2) = .20 $ 5 mil
14 s2 P(s1) = .80 $20 mil
P(s2) = .20 -$ 9 mil
35
Decision Strategy
 A decision strategy is a sequence of decisions and

chance outcomes where the decisions chosen depend
on the yet-to-be-determined outcomes of chance events.
 The approach used to determine the optimal decision
strategy is based on a backward pass through the
decision tree using the following steps:
• At chance nodes, compute the expected value by
multiplying the payoff at the end of each branch by the
corresponding branch probabilities.
• At decision nodes, select the decision branch that
leads to the best expected value. This expected value
becomes the expected value at the decision node.
36
Decision Tree
d1 6 EV = .94(8) + .06(7) = $7.94 mil

EV = $18.26 mil
d2
F 3 7 EV = .94(14) + .06(5) = $13.46 mil
(.77) d3
EV = 8 EV = .94(20) + .06(-9) = $18.26 mil
$15.93 2
mil d1 9 EV = .35(8) + .65(7) = $7.35 mil
U
d2
(.23) 4 10 EV = .35(14) + .65(5) = $8.15 mil
d3
1 EV =
11 EV = .35(20) + .65(-9) = $1.15 mil
EV = $8.15 mil
$15.93 d1 12 EV = .8(8) + .2(7) = $7.80 mil
mil
d2
5 13 EV = .8(14) + .2(5) = $12.20 mil
d3
EV = $14.20 mil
14 EV = .8(20) + .2(-9) = $14.20 mil
37
Decision Strategy
 PDC’s optimal decision strategy is:

• Conduct the market research study.
• If the market research report is favorable,
construct the large condominium complex.
• If the market research report is unfavorable,
construct the medium condominium complex.
38
Risk Profile
 PDC’s Risk Profile
1.00
.80 .72
Probability
.60
.40
.20 .15
.05 .08
-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20
Profit ($ millions)
39
Expected Value of Sample Information
 The expected value of sample information (EVSI)

is the additional expected profit possible through
knowledge of the sample or survey information.
 The expected value associated with the market
research study is $15.93.
 The best expected value if the market research
study is not undertaken is $14.20.
 We can conclude that the difference, $15.93 
$14.20 = $1.73, is the expected value of sample
information.
 Conducting the market research study adds $1.73
million to the PDC expected value.
40
Efficiency of Sample Information
 Efficiency of sample information is the ratio of EVSI

to EVPI.
 As the EVPI provides an upper bound for the EVSI,
efficiency is always a number between 0 and 1.
41
Efficiency of Sample Information
The efficiency of the survey:
E = (EVSI/EVPI) X 100
= [($1.73 mil)/($3.20 mil)] X 100
= 54.1%
The information from the market research study is

54.1% as efficient as perfect information.
42
Computing Branch Probabilities
 We will need conditional probabilities for all sample

outcomes given all states of nature, that is, P(F | s1),
P(F | s2), P(U | s1), and P(U | s2).
Market Research
State of Nature Favorable, F Unfavorable, U
Strong demand, s1 P(F| s1) = .90 P(U| s1) = .10
Weak demand, s2 P(F| s2) = .25 P(U| s2) = .75
43
 Branch (Posterior) Probabilities Calculation

• Step 1:
For each state of nature, multiply the prior
probability by its conditional probability for the
indicator -- this gives the joint probabilities for
the states and indicator.
44
 Branch (Posterior) Probabilities Calculation

• Step 2:
Sum these joint probabilities over all states --
this gives the marginal probability for the indicator.
• Step 3:
For each state, divide its joint probability by
the marginal probability for the indicator -- this
gives the posterior probability distribution.
45
Bayes’ Theorem and Posterior Probabilities
 Knowledge of sample (survey) information can be

used to revise the probability estimates for the states
of nature.
 Prior to obtaining this information, the probability
estimates for the states of nature are called prior
probabilities.
 With knowledge of conditional probabilities for the
outcomes or indicators of the sample or survey
information, these prior probabilities can be revised
by employing Bayes' Theorem.
 The outcomes of this analysis are called posterior
probabilities or branch probabilities for decision trees.
46
Posterior Probabilities
Favorable
State of Prior Conditional Joint Posterior
Nature Probability Probability Probability Probability
sj P(sj) P(F|sj) P(F I sj) P(sj |F)
s1 0.8 0.90 0.72 0.94

s2 0.2 0.25 0.05 0.06
P(favorable) = P(F) = 0.77 1.00
47
Posterior Probabilities
Unfavorable
State of Prior Conditional Joint Posterior
Nature Probability Probability Probability Probability
sj P(sj) P(U|sj) P(U I sj) P(sj |U)
s1 0.8 0.10 0.08 0.35

s2 0.2 0.75 0.15 0.65
P(unfavorable) = P(U) = 0.23 1.00
48
End of Chapter 4
49

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 Decision analysis can be used to develop an optimal

 A decision problem is characterized by decision

Pittsburgh Development Corporation (PDC)

 An influence diagram is a graphical device showing

 The consequence resulting from a specific

Consider the following problem with three decision

PAYOFF TABLE States of Nature

 Three commonly used criteria for decision making

 The optimistic approach would be used by an

An optimistic decision maker would use the

 The conservative approach would be used by a

A conservative decision maker would use the

 The minimax regret approach requires the

For the minimax regret approach, first compute a

For each decision list the maximum regret.

 Expected Value Approach

 The expected value of a decision alternative is the

where: N = the number of states of nature

Calculate the expected value for each decision.

 A decision tree is a chronological representation of

 The branches leaving each round node represent the

EMV = .8(8 mil) + .2(7 mil) = $7.8 mil

EMV = .8(14 mil) + .2(5 mil) = $12.2 mil

EMV = .8(20 mil) + .2(-9 mil) = $14.2 mil

Choose the decision alternative with the largest EV.

 Frequently information is available which can

 Expected Value with Perfect Information (EVwPI)

 Expected Value without Perfect Information (EVwoPI)

 Expected Value of Perfect Information (EVPI)

EVPI = |EVwPI – EVwoPI| = |17.4 – 14.2| = $3.2 mil

 Risk analysis helps the decision maker recognize the

 Large Complex Decision Alternative

 Sensitivity analysis can be used to determine how

 Frequently, decision makers have preliminary or prior

Let us return to the PDC problem and assume

Decision Market Demand

PDC has developed the following branch

P(Favorable report) = P(F) = .77

If the market research report is favorable:

P(Strong demand | favorable report) = P(s1|F) = .94

If the market research report is unfavorable:

P(Strong demand | unfavorable report) = P(s1|U) = .35

If the market research study is not undertaken, the prior

P(Favorable report) = P(F) = .80

 A decision strategy is a sequence of decisions and

d1 6 EV = .94(8) + .06(7) = $7.94 mil

 PDC’s optimal decision strategy is:

 PDC’s Risk Profile

 The expected value of sample information (EVSI)

 Efficiency of sample information is the ratio of EVSI

The efficiency of the survey:

The information from the market research study is

 We will need conditional probabilities for all sample

 Branch (Posterior) Probabilities Calculation

 Branch (Posterior) Probabilities Calculation

 Knowledge of sample (survey) information can be

s1 0.8 0.90 0.72 0.94

s1 0.8 0.10 0.08 0.35