Choose the Best Alternative - Essay Example

Choose the Best Alternative A decision matrix principally refers to a presentation of an array on a single axis a list ofoptions, which is also known as solutions or alternatives, that are examined with regards to the other axis, a listing of methods or criteria that are considered dependently of their individual significance in the eventual decision to be reached. Therefore, the decision matrix refers to a variation of the two-dimension, matrix that is L-shaped. In other words, the decision matrix can be described as the measured criteria method’s advanced version whereby alternatives are provided, for every criterion, compliance or satisfactory are normally up to a maximum (that is from zero to one hundred), which is predefined apiece criterion and might have variance between criteria with regards to its relative significance in the eventual decision (Hastie, 2001).

Paired comparison analysis is a tool that helps in working out the significance of a number of alternatives relative to one another. In particular, it is important where there is not objective data for basing this on. However, this renders it easy to select the most critical problem to solve, or even choosing the best solution that will give the greatest advantage (Friedman, 2003). This method helps in setting priorities where the resources are experiencing conflicting demands. Decision Trees are essential tools that help in choosing between different courses of action.

They offer a very efficient structure in which options can be laid out and then the possible results of selecting those options are investigated (Yuan and Shaw, 2002). Moreover, they help in forming a balanced picture or representation of the rewards and risks that are related to every possible course of action. The decision that I want to examine is whether to go to war or not. A country has been attacked several times and her borders appear to be vulnerable due to frequent external assaults.

The military has kept its cool for long until it has become too much to bear anymore. Therefore, a difficult decision is to be made regarding whether to retaliate or not. The best decision tool that I have chosen to help in making the appropriate decision is the Decision Matrix. The reason why I have chosen this decision making tool is because it is the most relevant in this kind of situation and also very easy to use, as I only have to weight the options on a scale that ranges between zero and one hundred and then find the average.

A B C D E F G 1 Option Security Pride Cost Win Loss Score 2 To go 90 100 30 60 40 64 3 Not to go 10 0 70 40 60 36 According to the decision matrix above, it appears that it is more positive and advantageous for the country to go to war as compared to just sitting back and watch. We can see that if the military goes to war, security will be enhanced, pride will be restores to some great extent, and a win is also possible. The only disadvantage is that the war might be costly but this is overshadowed by the advantages.

References Friedman, J. H. (2003). Stochastic gradient boosting. Stanford University. Hastie, T., et al. (2001). The elements of statistical learning : Data mining, inference, and prediction. New York: Springer Verlag. Yuan, Y and Shaw M, (2002). Induction of fuzzy decision trees. Fuzzy Sets and Systems, pp. 125–139. Bibliographies