Decision Patterns – So What?
By John Fitch
FEATURED ARTICLE Decision Patterns – So What? by John Fitch Project Performance International Copyright © 2022 by Project Perfomance Internationl. All rights reserved. Authored for PPI SyEN
Introduction This article is the follow-on to the Introduction to Decision Patterns piece that was published in SyEN edition 107, December 2021. The first article shared the author’s 30+ year journey concerning the discovery, use and refinement of decision patterns, the conceptual basis (definitions, information model, methodology and elements) behind this construct, and the variety of use cases in which decision patterns have been applied (to the author’s direct knowledge). The article also provided simplified examples of decision patterns for Enterprise Strategy, System/Product Design, Process Capability Design, Service Design and Curriculum/Courseware Design. The original paper identified eight unique aspects of a decision-centric information architecture that is applicable when engineering a solution to any type of problem. These constructs include: •
Decision Breakdown Structure
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Essential information “within” each decision
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Requirements-to-decision traceability
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Decision-to-requirements derivation traceability
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Decision-to-plan traceability
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Architecture models representing alternatives
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Math/physics and lifecycle models representing alternatives Decision-to-roadmap traceability
This paper will elaborate on each of these information constructs, explain how they fill some “missing link(s)” in a typical digital thread and by doing so enable new and valuable system engineering capabilities. In addition to the potential benefits offered by use of these capabilities, the author will highlight current challenges to the effective use of decision patterns and experience-based tips to increase the likelihood of first-time success in applying them on a project. Readers are encouraged to review the first article prior to diving deeper into this subject matter. In particular, note the somewhat unique definition of a decision as an element that decomposes the problem domain: Decision = a fundamental question/issue that demands an answer/solution April 2022
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