A decision tree is a flowchart that represents the process of making a decision or series of decisions. A decision tree is a decision-making tool that uses a graph or decision model and the possible consequences that can occur and are shaped like a tree. Business units use this method to define company policies or as a guiding tool for employees. A person can use a decision tree to help himself make difficult decisions by simplifying them into easy choices. You can learn how to create a decision tree according to your needs by identifying the problem and creating a basic decision tree, or a concern decision tree.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Identifying the Problem
Step 1. Identify the main decision you want to make
Before you start, you need to find the main heading of the decision tree which is the problem you want to solve.
- For example, your main problem is what kind of car should you buy.
- Focus on just one problem or decision so you don't get confused and a decision can be made clearly.
Step 2. Brainstorm
Brainstorming can help you come up with new ideas. List each variable associated with the decision that the decision tree wants to help. Write it down on a piece of paper.
For example, if you are making a decision tree to buy a car, your variables would be “price”, “model”, “gas efficient”, “style” and “option”
Step 3. Determine the priority of the variables you wrote down
Find out what sections are most important to you and list them in order (from most important to least important). Depending on the type of decision made, you can sort the variables by time, priority level, or both.
- If the main problem is cars used for work, you might sort the branches of the decision tree like this: price, fuel economy, model, style and options. If a car is purchased as a gift, the order is: style, model, options, price, and fuel economy.
- One way to understand this is to make a graphical representation of the major decision versus the components needed to make the decision. Major decisions are placed in the middle (organizational problems that affect the quality of work), while the components of the problem will branch from the main problem in the middle. Thus, buying a car is the biggest issue, while price and model are the factors that influence the final decision.
Method 2 of 3: Creating a Basic Decision Tree
Step 1. Draw a circle
Start a decision tree by drawing a circle or square, on one side of the paper. Give labels to represent the most important variables in the decision tree.
When buying a car for work, you can draw a circle on the left side of the paper and label it "price"
Step 2. Draw a line
Make a minimum of 2 lines and a maximum of 4 lines leading out of the first variable. Label each line to represent the option or range of options that the variable derives from.
For example, from the “price” circle, create three arrows labeled “under 100 million”, “100 million to 200 million”, and “over 200 million” respectively
Step 3. Draw a circle or square at the end of each line
This circle or square represents the next priority of your variable list. Draw a line coming out of each of these circles that represents the next option. Usually, each box/circle contains special options that differ based on the parameters selected from the first decision.
For example, each box will be labeled “fuel efficient”. Since cheap cars usually have low gas mileage, the 2-4 options that fall out of the “gas efficient” circle will represent different ranges
Step 4. Continue adding squares/circles and lines
Keep adding flowcharts until you reach the end of your decision matrix.
Usually you will encounter additional variables when working on a decision tree. Sometimes, this variable is applied to only 1 “branch” in the decision tree. However, sometimes variables can be applied across all branches
Method 3 of 3: Creating a Concerns Decision Tree
Step 1. Understand the concept of a concern decision tree
This decision tree helps you identify the type of worry you have, turn the worry into a manageable problem, and decide when the worry is safe enough to be 'let go'. There are two kinds of things that are not worth worrying about, things that can be acted upon and things that can't be acted upon.
- Use the decision tree to examine any of your concerns. If the concern cannot be acted upon, then you can let go of the worry.
- If the concern is actionable, you can develop a plan to address the problem. You don't have to worry anymore because you already have a plan.
- If worrying comes up again, you can tell yourself that you have a plan so you don't have to worry.
Step 2. Identify the concern
To solve the problem first you have to know the problem clearly.
- Answer the question, “What are you worried about?” Write the answers on the top side of your paper. The answer will be the main title of the decision tree.
- You may use the information obtained from the Identifying Problems section.
- For example, your main problem is failing a math test and this worries you.
Step 3. Perform an analysis if the problem can be acted upon
The first step to stopping your worries is to find out if the problem can be solved or not.
- Drag a line from the title of the decision tree and label it “Is it actionable?”
- Then, draw two lines from the label and label it “Yes” and “No”.
- If the answer is “No”, circle the decision. This means you can stop worrying.
- If the answer is “Yes”, make a list of things to do or ways to find things that need to be done (on separate paper).
Step 4. Ask yourself what you can do now
Sometimes, the problem can be solved immediately, although sometimes it also takes a long time.
- Draw a line from your last answer (Yes or No) and label it “Is there anything that can be done now?”
- Draw back two lines from the label and write “Yes” and “No”.
- If your answer is “No”, circle the decision. Then, start making plans to solve the problem later. Then, determine when is the right time to implement the plan. After that, you can stop worrying.
- If the answer is “Yes”, circle your decision. Make a decision-making plan and then implement it IMMEDIATELY. When you're done, you can stop worrying.
Tips
- You can color code to help build a decision tree.
- Large presentation paper or large drawing paper is sometimes better than plain printed paper.
