Course Syllabus
MS&E 252 Handout #1 Decision Analysis I September 25, 2012 ______________________________________________________________________
Course Guide to MS&E 252
Foundations of Decision Analysis
Welcome to Decision Analysis I. This course guide has been developed to summarize the course logistics. Please read this handout carefully.
Introduction Everyone makes decisions, but a few people think about how they do it. Psychological research shows that in many simple decision situations people make decisions that upon close examination they regard as wrong. Decision analysis is the normative field of decision-making. Throughout the course, we will develop rules of thought that will transform complex decisions into simpler decision situations where the course of action is clear. We will create powerful distinctions that will improve your personal decisionmaking and enable you to help others with their own decisions.
Message from Ron Howard Decision analysis is the best way I know how to make decisions. That’s not to say that thinking about decisions is important, but if you do wish to think about your choices, decision analysis is the best way I know how to achieve clarity of action. In MS&E 252, I will profess how to carry on a conversation for achieving clarity of actional thought by combining precisely defined concepts. Throughout the quarter, I will ask you to demonstrate your proficiency at conducting a professional conversation about decisionmaking building on the concepts present in lectures or in course materials. I guarantee that MS&E 252 will help you create powerful distinctions to improve your personal decision-making and to help others with their decisions.
Page 1 of 8
Course Guide
MS&E 252 Handout #1 Decision Analysis I September 25, 2012 ______________________________________________________________________ Enrolling on Axess On Axess, enroll in the lecture only. We will assign students to problem sessions by using the information from the
Course Guide to MS&E 252
Foundations of Decision Analysis
Welcome to Decision Analysis I. This course guide has been developed to summarize the course logistics. Please read this handout carefully.
Introduction Everyone makes decisions, but a few people think about how they do it. Psychological research shows that in many simple decision situations people make decisions that upon close examination they regard as wrong. Decision analysis is the normative field of decision-making. Throughout the course, we will develop rules of thought that will transform complex decisions into simpler decision situations where the course of action is clear. We will create powerful distinctions that will improve your personal decisionmaking and enable you to help others with their own decisions.
Message from Ron Howard Decision analysis is the best way I know how to make decisions. That’s not to say that thinking about decisions is important, but if you do wish to think about your choices, decision analysis is the best way I know how to achieve clarity of action. In MS&E 252, I will profess how to carry on a conversation for achieving clarity of actional thought by combining precisely defined concepts. Throughout the quarter, I will ask you to demonstrate your proficiency at conducting a professional conversation about decisionmaking building on the concepts present in lectures or in course materials. I guarantee that MS&E 252 will help you create powerful distinctions to improve your personal decision-making and to help others with their decisions.
Page 1 of 8
Course Guide
MS&E 252 Handout #1 Decision Analysis I September 25, 2012 ______________________________________________________________________ Enrolling on Axess On Axess, enroll in the lecture only. We will assign students to problem sessions by using the information from the