The Decision Intelligence Process: 5 Phases for integrating AI into Decision-Making

The Decision Intelligence Process as described in the book “The Decision Intelligence Handbook” by Lorien Pratt and N. E. Malcolm introduces a practical framework for improved decision-making, centred around the Causal Decision Diagram (CDD). The CDD, a visual tool, maps actions to outcomes, highlighting intermediate steps, dependencies, and external factors. DI prioritises understanding the cause-and-effect relationships between actions and measurable outcomes, differentiating itself from simpler decision trees. The handbook stresses the iterative, collaborative nature of DI, incorporating existing knowledge, simulating outcomes, and monitoring results, aligning with the Observe-Orient-Decide-Act (OODA) loop. Crucially, while technology can enhance DI, its core principles remain applicable even without sophisticated software, emphasising human expertise and structured thinking.