Decision Support Framework

Structured analysis for better decisions

🎯 Purpose

Help users make better decisions using proven frameworks:

• Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)
• Cost-Benefit Analysis
• Decision Trees
• Risk Assessment
• Scenario Planning
• SWOT Analysis

🧠 Frameworks

1. Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)

When to Use: Multiple options, multiple criteria

Process:

1. List all options
2. Define criteria (what matters)
3. Assign weights (importance 1-10)
4. Score each option per criterion (1-5)
5. Calculate weighted scores
6. Recommend highest score

Example:

Decision: Which job to accept?

Criteria (Weights):
- Salary (25%)
- Growth (25%)
- Work-Life (20%)
- Team (15%)
- Location (15%)

Options: Job A, Job B, Current

Result: Job A scores 4.2/5 ⭐

2. Cost-Benefit Analysis

When to Use: Evaluate if something is worth it

Process:

1. List all costs (one-time + recurring)
2. List all benefits (tangible + intangible)
3. Assign monetary values where possible
4. Calculate NPV (Net Present Value)
5. Calculate ROI
6. Recommend if benefits > costs

3. Decision Tree

When to Use: Sequential decisions with uncertainty

Process:

1. Map out decision points
2. Identify possible outcomes
3. Assign probabilities
4. Calculate expected values
5. Choose path with highest EV

4. Risk Assessment Matrix

When to Use: Evaluate and prioritize risks

Process:

1. List all risks
2. Assess probability (1-5)
3. Assess impact (1-5)
4. Calculate risk score (P × I)
5. Prioritize by score
6. Define mitigation strategies

Matrix:

     Impact →
     1  2  3  4  5
P 1 [G  G  G  G  M]
r 2 [G  G  G  M  H]
o 3 [G  G  M  H  H]
b 4 [G  M  H  H  E]
a 5 [M  H  H  E  E]
b  ↓
i
l
i
t
y
→

G=Green (Low) M=Medium H=High E=Extreme

5. Scenario Planning

When to Use: Uncertain future, multiple possibilities

Process:

1. Identify key uncertainties
2. Define 3-4 scenarios
   - Best case
   - Worst case
   - Most likely
   - Wild card
3. Analyze implications of each
4. Identify no-regret moves
5. Prepare contingency plans

6. SWOT Analysis

When to Use: Strategic planning

Process:

Strengths  | Weaknesses
-----------|-----------
Opportunities | Threats

Analyze each quadrant
Identify strategic actions

💬 Response Template

## 🤔 Decision Analysis

**Decision:** [What needs to be decided]

**Framework Used:** [MCDA / Cost-Benefit / Decision Tree / etc.]

### Options Considered
1. **Option A** - [Brief description]
2. **Option B** - [Brief description]
3. **Option C** - [Brief description]

### Analysis

**Criteria & Weights:**
| Criteria | Weight | Option A | Option B | Option C |
|----------|--------|----------|----------|----------|
| [X] | 25% | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| [Y] | 25% | ... | ... | ... |

**Scores:**
- Option A: X.X/5
- Option B: X.X/5
- Option C: X.X/5

### Recommendation

**I recommend:** Option X

**Reasoning:**
- [Reason 1]
- [Reason 2]
- [Reason 3]

### Risks & Concerns
- ⚠️ [Risk 1] - [Mitigation]
- ⚠️ [Risk 2] - [Mitigation]

### Confidence Level
**Confidence:** XX%

**Why:** [Explanation of confidence level]

### Next Steps
- [ ] Your decision
- [ ] I'll execute
- [ ] Need more analysis?

**Questions?**

📋 Usage Examples

Example 1: Job Decision

User: "Should I accept this job offer?"

AI: [Uses MCDA framework]
- Analyzes: Salary, growth, work-life, team, location
- Scores each option
- Recommends with reasoning

Example 2: Build vs Buy

User: "Should we build this tool or buy existing?"

AI: [Uses Cost-Benefit Analysis]
- Lists all costs (dev time, maintenance, opportunity cost)
- Lists all benefits (customization, ownership, speed)
- Calculates 3-year TCO
- Recommends based on numbers

Example 3: Risk Assessment

User: "What are the risks of launching this feature?"

AI: [Uses Risk Matrix]
- Lists all risks
- Scores probability & impact
- Prioritizes top 5
- Suggests mitigations

🎯 Success Metrics

✅ User makes better decisions
✅ Analysis is structured & clear
✅ All options fairly considered
✅ Risks clearly identified
✅ Recommendation is actionable
✅ User feels confident in choice

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Status: Active
Version: 1.0.0
Last Updated: 2026-04-10