Rating: 
Summary: A good introduction
Review: Skinner presents the tools and applications of decision analysis very clearly. He supplements this with numerous case studies that aid in understanding how to apply these techniques.This is an introductory text. I believe that the author merely intended to present these techniques. No discussion of their limitations is made. The examples given are very simple, which is very helpful to explain the concepts described in the book. They cannot be expected to address all the issues in a real-life decision problem.
Rating: 
Summary: Practical and Well Written
Review: Skinner's book is an excellent step-by-step journey through the basics of Decision Analysis. Through the frequent use of targetted exercises and clean examples, the reader is brought painlessly through the thinking and the tools associated with Decision Analysis. As a practitioner I frequently purchase copies to give to the teams I advise. Especially helpful has been the chapter entitled "A thirty-minute guide to better decisions". Credibility of this book is enhanced by its assertion that complex "full" DA methods are not always needed and that this flexibility of application is the key to practical decision success. Is there anything that this book is lacking?? Certainly, but they are advanced applications (dependent tornado diagrams and the like) and would apply to a limited audience. The other thing that I've found is that Skinner himself is accessible.
Rating:
Summary: Very practical, stimulating book
Review: This book is a great overview of different DA tools, processes and analyses. The book nicely balances a newbie-level focus with sophisticated forms of analysis. Skinner's focus is very much on making it possible for readers to take the concepts in the book and immediately apply them to real-world decision problems. Many of the concepts are developed and then presented in a cookbook-like fashion. This style was often clarifying and makes the book an excellent quick reference.
Rating: 
Summary: A practical, up-to-date and comprehensive text.
Review: This book is a great value for anyone learning about decision analysis, or who has the responsibility to facilitate, coach or teach others about the process. David Skinner provides a comprehensive, well thought-out introduction to the subject. He not only covers the mechanics, but also provides a template for facilitating project teams in the use of a structured decision-making process. The reader will appreciate the practical focus of the book, such as the "Bush Grid" on page 32, which illustrates the scalability of decision analysis as a function of ambiguity and uncertainty. It is up-to-date with illustrations of software tools for decision analysis and Internet references where readers can download case studies and tutorials. The appendix includes a series of "how to" guides, as well as a questionnaire for assessing your risk-taking preference. If you were to own only one text on decision-analysis, this is the book to buy. If you already have several, add this one to your collection.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Introduction to Decision Making
Review: This book is very well organized, very easy to read and to comprehend. It must be in your library!! The Final Chapter: 30' Guide to better decisions, is the perfect closure to an excellent book. It guides you through all the process in a glance.
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive and easy to read
Review: This book is well written, clear and comprehensive. It is indeed a very good introduction to decision analysis. It would be 5 stars if the web site the book constantly refers to, was more useful and really contained additionnal material rather than To Be Completed pages.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book on decision and risk analysis.
Review: This is an excellent book for getting started in decision and risk analysis - as well as for those already skilled in the techniques. Anyone who has business decisions to make should develop this skill. I think David does an excellent job of teaching the technique as well as presenting its relevance. I would definitely recommend this book.
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