A very simplified hypothetical business strategy problem to show the kinds of issues which might be addressed by DECISION PAD. It is looking a major budget planning decision where there are really only funds to do one of the proposals well.
The proposals have obviously come from functional VP's looking at how their area could invest. There will be opportunities for creatively combining pieces of these into a new hybrid corporate plan -- a "what-if" topic.
Automate
Manufacturing
Agressive
Marketing
Major New
R&D Program
MUST HAVE
1988 Earnings
Most likely the result of detailed spreadsheet financial analysis of each scenario.
Timely introduction will require agressive spending this year.
1989-90 Earnings Ave
Given no new products or manufacturing cost advantage to give the new staff something to sell in future years.
Perhaps there is some way to combine some of this plan with the investment-oriented ones?
1990 Sales
Capital Investment
Business Risk
An estimate of uncertainty in each plan's payback.
This may be a suitable approach to the first pass. But if the risk factor is a significant item in choosing, then a more detailed approach by splitting the Earnings into best/worst case Criteria would be more suitable. (See file PROPERTY.DPW). When making major decisions we rarely have the same attitudes about a big win versus a big loss versus an assured modest return.
Obviously this assumes that FLEXIBLE automation is being considered!
Staff to Implement
If this is a general weakness in the R&D department, then it suggests a long-term program is needed to improve it.
On the other hand, if the job has outgrown one individual, perhaps a recruiting effort added to this scenario would make it best?
Position for Future
A measure of how sustainable the earnings improvements would be. And whether there are side benefits in developing technology, new markets or internal skills.