Idea 48: How to use analysis in decision making

An essential part of analysis is to be able to break the whole up into its component parts, particularly splitting complex matters into more simple elements.

The hallmarks of an analytical mind are that it:

• Establishes the relationship between the parts and the whole.
• Finds the root cause(s) of the problem.
• Identifies the issue(s) at stake, the ‘either/or’ on which a decision rests.

Analytical ability is improved by:

• Working from first principles.
• Establishing the facts and separating them from opinions, assumptions or suppositions.
• Asking yourself questions (as in ‘When did the problem first arise?’ as well as our six friends Who, What, Why, When, Where and How?).
• Continually checking the premise and/or the steps in logic, a fault in which can undermine good reasoning.
• Thinking backwards from the desired outcome to potential solutions.
• Organizing the facts.
• Seeing the problem as a solution in disguise.

Analysis is not, however, an end in itself and trying to over-analyze can lead to inactivity or ‘paralysis by analysis’, as it has been called.