Strategic Decisions Group (SDG)

?? 1st place in Chemistry, Life Science and Healthcare - Best of Consulting 2024 ?? We are very pleased to have been awarded 1st place in the category Chemistry, Life Science and Healthcare at the Best of Consulting Awards 2024! This success shows what is possible when passion, innovation and a strong team come together. In our winning project, we helped a large pharmaceutical company to strategically plan the market launch of a new molecule. By applying the principles of Decision Quality, we created the basis for a well-founded decision that helped our client prioritize its development pipeline. Thank you to our client and our team - your trust and commitment make such successes possible!? Thanks also to WirtschaftsWoche for the platform and an inspiring evening. We look forward to the next challenges - ready to shape the future! ?? #BOC24 #Consulting #Award #Innovation #LifeScience #Healthcare ?

Albert Einstein said, "If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend fifty-five minutes thinking about the problem and five minutes thinking about solutions.“ Find yourself rushing to solve a problem without fully understanding it? ?? Effective decision-making begins with the right frame! Before diving into solutions, take the time to truly understand the problem at hand. Many mistakes arise from addressing what seems urgent instead of what truly matters. Framing helps you broaden your perspective, consider all relevant factors, and focus on root causes rather than just the symptoms. Invest time in properly framing your decisions—it’s the best way to achieve effective and efficient outcomes. What’s your biggest decision-making challenge this year? Share your thoughts below! ??

Have we involved all key stakeholders in the decision from the beginning to build ownership and commitment along the way? "Transform Your Decisions for Better Outcomes" powerfully reminds us how the quality of our decisions impacts the results we achieve. At Strategic Decisions Group, we understand that decision quality is essential to enhancing effectiveness and driving superior outcomes for our clients. To elevate your decision-making, consider the 6 Elements of High-Quality Decisions: 1. Appropriate Frame 2. Clear Values and Trade-offs 3. Creative, Doable Alternatives 4. Relevant, Reliable Information 5. Sound Reasoning 6. Commitment to Action By implementing these steps, we can create a culture of collaboration and informed decision-making that leads to sustainable success. Let’s drive impactful decisions together!

??Discover how SDG helped a global pharmaceutical company reshape their portfolio. How can decision science reshape pharma’s future? ? We partnered with a global pharma CEO and their Executive Committee to redefine strategy and investment choices—applying value-focused thinking and multi-attribute utility theory (MAUT) to prioritize initiatives with the greatest impact. ? The outcome? A unified, strategic vision and a powerful model for clear, fast decision-making. ? Curious to see decision science in action? Check out the case study! ? #Strategy #DecisionScience #Pharma #Innovation #DecisionQuality

??Want to enhance your daily decision-making? ??? Unlock Better Decisions with Decision Trees! ?? Incorporating decision trees into your routine can simplify complex choices and lead to more informed and valuable outcomes. Ready to see the difference in your decision-making process? Here’s a quick overview of how decision trees can help:??? 1. Clarify the Situation – Identify the decision(s) you face and your main goals.??? 2. Identify Alternatives - List possible courses of action.??? 3. Analyze Alternatives?- Examine the benefits, risks, and probabilities.??? 4. Decide - Choose the option that best aligns with your goals. #DecisionMaking #Leadership #Productivity #DecisionTree #CareerGrowth

Mastering Uncertainty and Value in Smart Decisions Most decisions are made under uncertainty. How do you trade-off uncertainty and?value? Whether it's changing careers, a bold product launch, or a direction setting strategic choice, finding the right balance can unlock new opportunities. Want to learn how? Swipe through our social cards for practical tips on making smarter, more balanced decisions. Let’s connect and explore how these insights can enhance your decision-making process!

?? The Power of Decisions: Shaping the Future ?? Decisions are our most powerful tool to shape the future. Making them well is the key to getting the most out of life. ??To judge the quality of a decision before we act, we need to understand what goes into a decision. This process is crucial for making informed and effective choices that bring us closer to our goals. ?? Ronald Howard, a pioneer in decision analysis, laid the foundation for understanding the structure of decisions by defining a decision basis - values, uncertainties, and alternatives. Ron often showed depicted this powerful triad as a 3-legged stool. His insights are central to the work of the Strategic Decisions Group (SDG), which actively uses these foundational ideas to help individuals and companies navigate complex decisions in a strategic and impactful way. https://lnkd.in/eSXjTd-g

As we conclude our series honoring the life and contributions of Ron Howard, co-founder of Strategic Decisions Group (SDG) Decision Group, we take a moment to reflect on the remarkable variety of his achievements that shaped the fields of decision analysis and engineering and impacted the lives of so many. Ron Howard's journey began at MIT, where he earned his Sc.D. in Electrical Engineering in 1958, under the guidance of George E. Kimball, and served as an associate professor.?Ron joined Stanford University in 1965, where he left an indelible mark before and after his retirement in 2018. A Peek at His Notable Contributions: -?Algorithmic Breakthroughs: Ron was a trailblazer in developing the policy iteration method for solving Markov decision problems, fondly known as the Howard policy-improvement algorithm. - Analytic Models: His seminal work, "Dynamic Probabilistic Systems" (Vol 1, 1971; updated in 2007 & 2012), laid foundations for probabilistic modeling. - ?Risk Quantification: In 1980, Ron introduced the concept of micromort—a way to quantify risk by defining a one-in-a-million chance of death. This novel idea has become a staple in risk assessment. - Graphical Representation of Decisions: In the 1980s, alongside collaborator and close friend Jim Matherson, Ron played a crucial role in developing the Influence Diagram.?This introduced a powerful tool for visualizing and analyzing complex decisions. Other scholars would later find ties from influence diagrams to machine learning and artificial intelligence. - Definitive Guides: In 1983, Ron co-authored “Principles and Applications of Decision Analysis” (affectionately known as the "blue books"), providing a comprehensive look at decision-making. - Decision Language: In his 2004 paper, "Speaking of Decisions: Precise Decision Language," Ron advocated for clarity in decision analysis terminology, promoting terms that enhance understanding and precision. - Ethics in Decision-Making: Ron continued to impact the field with his 2008 publication, "Ethics For The Real World," co-authored with Clint Korver, which explores the essential inherent connection between ethics and decision-making. -?Foundational Texts: His 2015 book, "Foundations of Decision Analysis," co-authored with Ali Abbas, solidified his legacy as a leading thinker in decision theory. Ron Howard’s contributions were not only profound but varied, demonstrating his versatility and depth as a scholar and practitioner. His innovative ideas continue to inspire and shape decision-making across various fields. As we wrap up this tribute series, we celebrate Ron's extraordinary legacy, which will undoubtedly influence future generations of decision professionals and leaders. Thank you, Ron, for your wisdom, your passion, and your unwavering commitment to excellence. #RonHoward #DecisionAnalysis #StrategicDecisions #DecisionQuality #Legacy

The 5 Rules of Actional Thought As we continue to honor the life and contributions of Ron Howard, co-founder of Strategic Decisions Group (SDG) Decision Group, we are sharing his guiding principles in a series of five posts. Today, in our fourth post, we highlight another cornerstone of Ron’s work: The 5 Rules of Actional Thought 1. Probability 2. Order 3.?Equivalence 4.?Substitution 5.?Choice These five simple yet powerful rules of normative decision theory apply to both simple and complex decision-making scenarios.?The rules showcase Ron’s genius in developing simple and robust guidelines that make even the most challenging decisions accessible. To find out more, click on the social cards below! These rules capture the essence of Ron’s approach to decision-making: blending simplicity with depth. They’re as effective for everyday choices as they are for large-scale strategic decisions, making them timeless and universally applicable. Thank you, Ron! #RonHoward #DecisionAnalysis #StrategicDecisions #DecisionQuality #Legacy

"Ron’s Rules to Live By" As we continue to honor the life and contributions of Ron Howard, co-founder of Strategic Decision Group, we are sharing his guiding principles in a series of five posts. Today, we are proud to present the third post, which highlights "Ron’s Rules to Live By," a collection of life lessons that reflect his profound wisdom and values.?Amy Day posted these rules on LinkedIn to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Ron’s introduction to them in his keynote for the Society of Decision Professionals.? The post created an opportunity for a delightful conversation with Ron on March 22, 2024. Ron stood by every one of the rules and emphasized the importance of the last one! These rules encapsulate the thoughtful, genuine, and impactful way Ron lived his life—values that he brought not only to his personal life but also to his professional work at Strategic Decisions Group (SDG) and Stanford University. ? Ron’s dedication to truth, learning, and human connection continues to guide not only SDG, but hundreds of his students and thousands who follow his work. Stay tuned for the next post as we continue to honor Ron's exceptional contributions to the field of decision analysis and consulting. #RonHoward #DecisionAnalysis #StrategicDecisions #DecisionQuality #Legacy