DECIDE.BA Copyright (c) 1989 by Paul Globman DECIDE.BA is designed to take the complexity out of complex decision making. When you must make decisions regarding multiple choices, and there are multiple factors affecting the choice, the decision making process becomes very cumbersome. Most of the time complex decisions are made by gut instinct because the complexity of the variables become too much for the human mind. DECIDE.BA will ask you a series of simple questions and offer you the best possible choice, based upon the input that you provide. At first this program might appear like a parlor game, and you may use it to decide what to have for dinner or which movie to view. Have no doubt... once you understand how it works, you will be able to use it to decide what automobile to purchase or how to best invest your hard earned money. In generic terms, it is a "SITUATION EVALUATOR". When you first run DECIDE.BA the opening screen will appear like this: <<<>>> Factor (Weight) Choice (Rating) --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- Subj Fact Wght Rate Load Save Prnt Menu 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 To use the program for the first time you press F1 to enter a new subject. In the future you will be able to Load files that were previously Saved. When you enter a new subject you will also enter the factors, weights, and associative ratings. Once this data is entered you can use F2, F3, and F4 to modify or correct previously entered information. When all required info is provided the program will make the needed calculations and display the results. You will have the opportunity to Save this evaluation as a file and to print it. In order for the program to make correct evaluations, it needs the following input... A) the nature of the problem. B) the number of possible solutions. C) the possible solutions. D) the number of deciding factors. E) the deciding factors. F) the weight of each factor. G) the significance of each factor as applied to each possible solution. Once this info is provided, the program will calculate the best possible solution by applying the "weight" of each factor to that factor as it applies to that possible solution. Perhaps a sample run will be more enlightening. Suppose your task is to decide upon an MS-DOS laptop computer. You are given two possible choices, a Tandy 1400LT, and a Toshiba 1200FB. You must make a decision based upon price, LCD, keyboard, and portability. Just follow the following steps. 1) Run DECIDE.BA and press F1(Subj). At the "Subject" prompt enter "What laptop should I get". 2) Tell the program that you have TWO choices... a) Tandy 1400LT, and b) Tosh 1200FB. 3) Tell the program that you are considering FOUR factors... a) Price, b) LCD, c) Keyboard, and d) Portability. 4) Give each factor an equal weight of FIVE (5). 5) Use the following table to assign relative ratings for each factor. Tandy 1400LT Tosh 1200FB ------------ ----------- Price 9 5 LCD 7 9 Keyboard 9 7 Portability 3 7 NOTE: the above ratings were derived from the September 1989 issue of Consumer Reports, page 568. When the above info is entered, DECIDE will calculate the overall best choice. In this particular case the two choices will be equal, but that is because an equal weight was placed upon the various factors. If you press F3(Wght) you will be able to assign higher (or lower) weights to the factors that are important in making your decision. For example, if your need is for writing and you are a touch typist, then "keyboard" should be given a higher weight. If you will be using the laptop to assist in sales presentations, then you may consider a higher weight to "LCD". If you spend more time carrying the computer than actually using it, then "portability" would get the highest weight. Maybe you are on a tight budget. If so, then "price" gets top billing. If your decision is affected by several of the above factors, then you assign the weights accordingly. DECIDE.BA not only allows for the changing of "weights", but at any time you can also change the relative "ratings" between choice and factor (use F4). And if you realize that you have omitted a factor, you can re-enter the number of factors and re-enter the factors too (F2). You can save (F6) whatever data you entered, and then reload (F5) that data at any time. F7(Prnt) will print the results on your printer. DECIDE.BA will allow up to 10 choices and 10 FACTORS. You should select keywords to represent your choices and factors so they will display nicely on the 40 column screen (about 12 to 15 characters). After evaluating the choices, they are sorted and displayed with the best choice first. If you are using a Tandy 200 then all choices/factors will be displayed, but if you are using a Model 100/102 then only the TWO best choices will display (the entire set of choices and factors will be printed if you use F7). COMMENTS: The provided example uses objective ratings between choice and factor (as derived from Consumer Reports), and subjective values for weights. You may find yourself facing a decision where the factor weights are pre-determined, and it will be the relationship between factor and choice that are based upon personal feelings. Suppose you are about to hire a new employee and you have several applicants. You have given them each a written test, an in depth interview, and you will also judge appearance and bilingual skills. In this case you may know that the written exam gets a weight of 3, the interview weighs 4, appearance 2, and bilingual skills rates 1. Now these weights are not altered but the choice-to-factor score are subjective. The main purpose of this program is to put you in touch with yourself. If the highest score is not your first choice then you may want to reconsider the value you place upon the FACTORS or RATINGS. If you use this program often, and are completely honest with your evaluation of factors/ratings, and the program agrees with your "feelings" then you will discover what "motivates" you. If DECIDE.BA does not confirm your choice, you can alter the variables until your choice is confirmed, and get a clear picture of your priorities and motivating factors. Whether you use DECIDE.BA to assist in making your decisions, or adjust variables to discover your priorities, you will certainly benefit by using it. Use it often. Paul Globman [72227,1661]