Decision Tree Analysis: Discover 4 Steps with Examples!

Decision Tree Analysis Technique And Example Infographic

What is the importance of Decision Tree Analysis in project management? Today, we are going to discuss the significance of decision tree analysis in statistics and project management by using example problems and solutions to illustrate its benefits. An effective decision-making process is vital for all organizations, whether they are small or large. It involves selecting among various alternatives. Often, uncertain circumstances can affect these judgments. In the existence of uncertainty, we use the several analytical tools and techniques such as decision tree analysis to evaluate options and make the right choices.

What is a Decision Tree?

The concept decision tree is both used in operations management and machine learning. In machine learning, decision trees are used to create a model that forecasts the value of a target variable based on a set of input variables.This article analyzes the decision tree analysis based on The Expected Monetary Value (EMV) while making operations research.

This technique can be used for many different project management cases. For example: Should we upgrade the software that we are using in our organization? Should we build a prototype for our new project? Should we select the low-price contractor? Should we select the low-budget project? Which contractor best fits our project’s budget and schedule milestones?

Expected Monetary Value (EMV) for Decision Tree Analysis

The decision tree analysis provides a visual template to calculate the values of potential outcomes and the possibilities of achieving them. It allows us to select the most suitable choice relying on the existing information and best forecasts.

The PMBOK Guide defines The Expected Monetary Value (EMV) as a statistical concept that calculates the average outcomes when the future includes the scenarios that may happen or may not happen.

Probability x Impact is equal to The Expected Monetary Value (EMV). For the opportunities this value is positive and for the threats it is negative.

To learn how to calculate The The Expected Monetary Value (EMV), please read The The Expected Monetary Value (EMV) article.

Expected Monetary Value (EMV) Calculation – projectcubicle

How to Create a Decision Tree in 4 Steps?

After identifying the problem or decision you are going to make, follow these four implementation steps to draw a decision tree diagram;

Step 1. List all the decisions and prepare a decision tree for a project management situation.
Step 2. Assign the probability of occurrence for all the risks.
Step 3. Assign the impact of a risk as a monetary value.
Step 4. Calculate The Expected Monetary Value (EMV) for each decision path.

Finally, evaluate the outcome of each decision and decide which alternative provides you more benefits than others. Sometimes selecting the one with highest score may not be the ideal choice. Because highest expected value means a high risk that the organization may be unwilling to take.

Decision Tree Analysis Example



Suppose you are a project manager of a power plant project and there is a penalty in your contract with the main client for every day you deliver the project late. You need to decide which sub-contractor is appropriate for your projects critical path activities. But while selecting a sub-contractor, you should take into consideration the costs and delivery dates.

• Sub-contractor 1 bids $250,000. You estimate that there is a 30% possibility of completing 60 days late. As per your contract with the client, you must pay a delay penalty of $5,000 per calendar day for every day you deliver late.

• Sub-contractor 2 bids $320,000. You estimate that there is a 10% possibility of completing 20 days late. As per your contract with the client, you must pay a delay penalty of $5,000 per calendar day for every day you deliver late.

You need to determine which sub-contractor is appropriate for your projects critical path activities. Both sub-contractors promise successful delivery and high-quality work.

Following 4 Basic Steps



Step 1: List decisions and prepare a decision tree for a project management situation.

In Figure 1 below, a decision tree is prepared based on the decisions, costs, and rewards of uncertain events.

Decision Trees Analysis-Sub-Contractor Decision
Figure 1:  Decision Tree Analysis-Sub-Contractor Decision

Step 2: Assign the probability of occurrence for the risks.

In this example, the possibility of being late for Sub-contractor 1 is 30% and for Sub-contractor 2 is 10 %. This means that the possibility of completing on-time for Sub-contractor 1 is 70% and for Sub-contractor 2 is 90 %. In Figure 2 below the probability of occurrence for the risks are assigned.

Decision Trees Analysis-Possibility Of Being Late
Figure 2:  Decision Tree Analysis-Possibility Of Being Late

Step 3: Assign the impact of a risk as a monetary value.

In Step 3 we are calculating the value of the project for each path, beginning on the left-hand side with the first decision and cumulating the values to the final branch tip on the right side as if each of the decisions was taken and each case occurred. Figure 3 below shows the value of each path.

Sub-Contractor Decision
Figure 3: Decision Tree Analysis-Sub-Contractor Decision

As shown in the figure, path values are calculated by the formulas given below.

Sub-Contractor 1
Path value of completing on-time = Bid Value = $ 250,000
Path value of being late = Bid Value + Penalty = $ 250,000 + 60 x $5,000 = $ 550,000

Sub-Contractor 2
Path value of completing on-time = Bid Value = $ 320,000
Path value of being late = Bid Value + Penalty = $ 320,000 + 20 x $5,000 = $ 420,000

Step 4: Calculate The Expected Monetary Value (EMV) for each decision path.

In Step 4, we are calculating the value of each node – including both possibility nodes and decision nodes. We begin with the path values at the far right-hand end of the tree and then proceeding from the right to the left calculate the value of each node. This calculation is called “folding back” the tree.
The Expected Monetary Value (EMV) of each node will be calculated by multiplying Probability and Impact. Figure 4 below shows The Expected Monetary Value (EMV) of each path.



As shown in the figure, The Expected Monetary Value (EMV) of each path is below.

Sub-Contractor 1

EMV = %30 x $ 550,000 + %70 x $ 250,000 = $ 340,000

Sub-Contractor 2

EMV = %10 x $ 420,000 + %90 x $ 320,000 = $ 330,000

In this simple example Expected Monetary Values (EMV) are very close. Now we are selecting Contractor 2 because of low cost and low possibility of being late.

prons and Cons of Decision Tree Analysis

Although decision tree analysis can provide you many benefits while evaluating the outcomes of various alternatives, it also has some disadvantages.

Pros And Cons Of Decision Tree Analysis-Min

Pros

  • It is a visual tool that enables to see the whole picture.
  • It is easy to implement without deep expertise.
  • It is a flexible tool where you can add new alternatives or delete the existing ones.
  • An analytical tool relies on quantitative data and and numbers.

Cons

  • It may be difficult to manage large and compex inputs.
  • If there is a small change in the inputs, the remaining data might be affected.
  • It is difficult to capture complex relationships or interactions between variables as effectively as other modeling techniques.

A Decision Tree Is an Analytical Tool



Decision trees are used as a model that helps in discovering, understanding, and communicating the structure of such decision problems (Ref: Clemen and Reilly () and Waters ()).Note that the decision tree analysis is a statistical concept which offers a powerful way of determining, finding out and analyzing uncertainty. For quantitative risk analysis, calculating the Expected Monetary Value (EMV) by using Decision Tree is an extensive technique. It is an efficient tool that helps you to select the most suitable action between several alternatives. Also, this technique enables to present complex data for decision making visually. In order to perform a Decision Tree Analysis correctly, you need to know the Difference Between Quantitative and Qualitative Risk Analysis.

See Also

Project Selection Methods

5 Whys technique

Smart Goals Template

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