Decision by Objectives

Rating:
Summary: A must read for business leaders
Review: I found this book to be enlightening and helpful pertaining to group decision making. Almost everyday I deal with tough and complex decisions where I need to capture the knowledge and expertise of my staff. I have discovered Dr. Forman and Ms. Selly's "Decisions by Objective" a good read in helping me understand how using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) as a powerful methodology to assist in my company's success.

Rating:
Summary: Selly & Forman have no original thoughts on the subject
Review: Most of these concepts are common knowledge in the group communication and decision science spaces and have been covered by many authors. Although their writings are grounded on AHP, they confuse those familiar with the process by changing the names of key terms that have been associated with the group theory for decades. By combining basic group techniques (i.e. brainstorming and pro/con diagrams) and decision theory, and changing the jargon, it seems they are trying to put their own brand on concepts that are in the public domain. Lack of exposure might explain the author's utopian views of group decision making in corporate environments.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent read on decision making for the layman
Review: The below reviewer is mean and obviously has an axe to grind. The reviewer overlooks a key element of this book that makes it compelling: it takes decision-making best practices out of the hands of "decision scientists" and puts it back where it belongs - in the hands of the business user. Decision by Objectives takes complex concepts and makes them accessible to both novice and experienced decision makers. The book describes a proven and well-known methodology - the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) - supported by easy to use collaborative decision-making software - Expert Choice - to show how decision makers can make difficult decisions easier with a simple process. Through proper structuring of the objectives or criteria, simple pairwise comparison measurement, and synthesis of quantitative data with qualitative judgment, business decision makers can improve the quality of their decisions, create buy-in among stakeholders, and improve the justifiability of their results. The book also outlines many different applications where the AHP methodology has been successfully used, including capital budgeting, portfolio management, vendor selection, strategic planning, risk assessment and forecasting. It is a good read and one that dovetails nicely with Decision Making for Leaders by Dr. Thomas L. Saaty.