Analytical Thinking and Decision Making in IResearch Case Study

Analytical Thinking and Decision Making 1
ANALYTICAL THINKING AND DECISION MAKING
Name
Course
Tutor
University
City
Date

Analytical Thinking and Decision Making 2
Analytical thinking and decision making
Introduction
Decision making and analytical thinking is fundamental to the progress of any company.
But, regardless of the decision making context, making verdicts depend on the forming of
judgements and developing choices. However, decision making becomes difficult at times due to
the rising of different factors which can affect the outcomes. Decision making is therefore a
process which involves data analyses and the application of available techniques and strategies to
resolve the problem under concern and develop an action plan (Betsch and Glöckner 2010, p.
270). In the case study provided, IResearch is faced with difficulties on whether it should submit
its proposal for ACME project because of some concerns. In this paper, I will provide more data
on decision making and analytical thinking as I look at the case of IResearch.
Discuss the value of decision analysis within the context of an organization
Decision analysis is the interactive, quantitative and systematic approach used to evaluate
and address the vital choices brought forward by companies both in the public and private sector.
ACME system pointed out two different software design entities which could develop their
software which could support the monitoring and accessing of its logistics and production
efficiently. IResearch was one of the companies which had the capability to develop the software
application needed by ACME systems. But the management at IResearch raised some concerns

Analytical Thinking and Decision Making 3
about ACME’s project and on whether to submit their proposal. Engineers and the management
at Iresearch arranged for a meeting to discuss about the project (Hinojosa et al., 2017, p. 180).
IResearch was to compete with one other firm for the tender and this gave it a fifty-fifty chance
to get the tender. In such a case, decision analysis is important to know how the organization
could develop a better proposal than that of the rival.
Decision analysis is Important for any entity but it requires the right information ability to
make right choices and synthesize that data. According to scholars, applying decision scrutiny in
the planned management process is valuable for any organization (Grant 2016, 3). In IResearch,
decision analysis between engineers and the management would help in reconciling viewpoints
about the project under concern. Through the decision analysis, IResearch could also be able to
decide on which software package and platform was suitable for ACME project. Decision
analysis is therefore valuable within the organizational context because it helps in problem
finding, solution and formulation of strategies.
Outline the challenges facing iResearch and discuss any assumptions you have made
Iresearch is facing some problems in applying for the tender given by ACME systems.
One of the major problem faced by IResearch is competition with the rival firm (Plessner,
Betsch, and Betsch 2011, p. 52). The existence of a rival firm means that they all have an equal
chance of getting the tender assuming that both firms provide similar services and have equal
market shares. It means that IResearch have to make better decisions while submitting its
proposal. In this case I assume that ACME systems will give the tender to the company which
offers to provide the best services. IResearch specializes on software application development
for engineering and production management companies. ACME requires the software

Analytical Thinking and Decision Making 4
application to be developed for a mobile platform or a web-based platform. IResearch will have
to consider both platforms and this calls for a meeting between the engineers and the
management to discuss more on the project.
Another challenge faced by IResearch is that the firm can only apply one platform for the
project and this makes it difficult for the company to develop a software package which can
work. The company therefore have to agree on the platform to use to determine the success of
the project (Schoenfeld 2010, 7). The company engineers came up with four software packages
which could help in the success of the project. The first software developed demanded a lot of
capital which makes it difficult to apply. The second platform had lower associated costs but its
probability of operating correctly was 45%. The third one had a probability of 75% while the
fourth had a probability of sixty five percent. IResearch can send the proposal but it will have the
greatest problem is to decide which approach to use so that it can get the best returns. The
decision have to be made before submitting the proposal meaning that a functioning software
package have to be submitted. IResearch will use some money to develop a proposal for ACME
but if IResearch gets the contract it will receive more money for software package development
(Salas, Rosen and Granados 2010, p. 942). The company will therefore have to assume that it
will get the contract by presenting a functioning software package to ACME. After gaining the
contract the company will make huge returns and this is very important to the company.
Apply decision analysis and develop an appropriate decision tree
A choice tree involves a diagrammatic demonstration of an issue and on this tree all
possible action courses are shown. In this tree all the action plans are shown. In this tree, all the
decisions are shown and the possible actions are also demonstrated. Decision tree has several