Framing

Decision framing is an indispensable part of the Decison Analysis process, because it ensures that

the correct problem is being solved. The framing process ensures that the solution that emerges

from the end of the Decision Analysis is the solution to the problem that one wanted solved, and that

it will therefore be found useful.

There are a number of tools used in the framing process. They include issue-raising, in which all

parties involved are encouraged to list factors that they consider issues in the decision. We then

categorize the issues according to several criteria, and this process makes it very clear to all

involved what factors can be influenced and which cannot. Some of the issues are likely to be

objectives, and we use this opportunity in framing to clarify the objectives of the decision situation.

Other issues are likely to be uncertainties, and decision analysis makes careful study of the

important ones. All those factors subject to choice are identified as decisions, and a careful

categorization process defines exactly which are the subject of the current analysis. Others are

either taken as given and immutable or deferred until later.

Periodically throughout the framing process, the team working on the analysis of a decision situation

reports back to the sponsoring executive organization with the current version of the frame. When

the