SM Sbe13e Chapter 21
SM Sbe13e Chapter 21
SM Sbe13e Chapter 21
Decision Analysis
Learning Objectives
1. Learn how to describe a problem situation in terms of decisions to be made, chance events and
consequences.
2. Understand how the decision alternatives and chance outcomes are combined to generate the
consequence.
3. Be able to analyze a simple decision analysis problem from both a payoff table and decision tree point
of view.
5. Learn how new information and revised probability values can be used in the decision analysis
approach to problem solving.
7. Learn how to evaluate the contribution and efficiency of additional decision making information.
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Chapter 21
Solutions:
1. a.
s1
250
d1 s2
100
s3
25
s1
100
d2 s2
100
s3
75
Recommended decision: d1
b. The best decision in this case is the one with the smallest expected value; thus, d4, with an expected
cost of 9.5, is the recommended decision.
The optimal decision is to hire an outside vendor with an expected annual cost of $570,000.
4. a. The decision to be made is to choose the type of service to provide. The chance event is the level of
demand for the Myrtle Air service. The consequence is the amount of quarterly profit. There are
two decision alternatives (full price and discount service). There are two outcomes for the chance
event (strong demand and weak demand).
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Decision Analysis
5. a. There is only one decision to be made: whether or not to lengthen the runway. There are only two
decision alternatives. The chance event represents the choices made by Air Express and DRI
concerning whether they locate in Potsdam. Even though these are decisions for Air Express and
DRI, they are chance events for Potsdam.
The payoffs and probabilities for the chance event depend on the decision alternative chosen. If
Potsdam lengthens the runway, there are four outcomes (both, Air Express only, DRI only, neither).
The probabilities and payoffs corresponding to these outcomes are given in the tables of the problem
statement. If Potsdam does not lengthen the runway, Air Express will not locate in Potsdam so we
only need to consider two outcomes: DRI and no DRI. The approximate probabilities and payoffs
for this case are given in the last paragraph of the problem statements.
b. Runway is Lengthened
New New
Air Express Center DRI Plant Probability Annual Revenue
Yes Yes 0.3 $600,000
Yes No 0.1 $150,000
No Yes 0.4 $250,000
No No 0.2 -$200,000
The revised probabilities would lead to the decision to lengthen the runway.
6. a. The decision is to choose what type of grapes to plant, the chance event is demand for the wine and
the consequence is the expected annual profit contribution. There are three decision alternatives
(Chardonnay, Riesling and both). There are four chance outcomes: (W,W); (W,S); (S,W); and (S,S).
For instance, (W,S) denotes the outcomes corresponding to weak demand for Chardonnay and strong
demand for Riesling.
b. In constructing a decision tree, it is only necessary to show two branches when only a single grape is
planted. But, the branch probabilities in these cases are the sum of two probabilities. For example,
the probability that demand for Chardonnay is strong is given by:
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Chapter 21
Plant Riesling
4 EV = 39
d. This changes the expected value in the case where both grapes are planted and when Riesling only is
planted.
We see that the optimal decision is now to plant both grapes. The optimal decision is sensitive to
this change in probabilities.
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Decision Analysis
e. Only the expected value for node 2 in the decision tree needs to be recomputed.
This change in the payoffs makes planting Chardonnay only less attractive. It is now best to plant
both types of grapes. The optimal decision is sensitive to a change in the payoff of this magnitude.
Note that using the expected value approach, the Town Council would be indifferent between
building a medium-size community center and a large-size center.
Using the consultant's original probability assessments for each scenario, 0.10, 0.60 and 0.30, the
expected value of a decision strategy that uses perfect information is:
In part (a), the expected value approach showed that EV(Medium) = EV(Large) = 605.
Therefore, EVwoPI = 605 and EVPI = 727 – 605 = 122
The town should seriously consider additional information about the likelihood of the three
scenarios. Since perfect information would be worth $122,000, a good market research study could
possibly make a significant contribution.
d. If the promotional campaign is conducted, the probabilities will change to 0.0, 0.6 and 0.4 for the
worst case, base case and best case scenarios respectively.
In this case, the recommended decision is to build a large-size community center. Compared to the
analysis in Part (a), the promotional campaign has increased the best expected value by $744,000 –
605,000 = $139,000. Compared to the analysis in part (c), the promotional campaign has increased
the best expected value by $744,000 – 528,000 = $216,000.
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Chapter 21
Even though the promotional campaign does not increase the expected value by more than its cost
($150,000) when compared to the analysis in part (c), it appears to be a good investment. That is, it
eliminates the risk of a loss, which appears to be a significant factor in the mayor's decision-making
process.
8. a.
Profit
Payoff
s1
100
d1
6
s2
300
F
3
s1
400
d2
7
s2
200
Market
2
Research s1
100
d1
8
s2
300
U
4
s1
400
d2
9
s2
200
1
s1
100
d1
10
s2
300
No Market
5
Research s1
400
d2
11
s2
200
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Decision Analysis
Market Research
If Favorable, decision d2
If Unfavorable, decision d1
9. The decision tree is as shown in the answer to problem 16a. The calculations using the decision tree
in problem 16a with the probabilities and payoffs here are as follows:
EV(node 3) = Max(–56,0) = 0 d2
EV(node 4) = Max(512,0) = 512 d1
EV(node 5) = Max(200,0) = 200 d1
Without the option, the recommended decision is d1 purchase with an expected value of $200,000.
c. EVSI = $230,400 – $200,000 = $30,400. Since the cost is only $10,000, the investor should
purchase the option.
Bid -$200
Contract -2000
Market Research -150
High Demand +5000
$2650
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Chapter 21
Outcome 2 ($ in 000s)
Bid -$200
Contract -2000
Market Research -150
Moderate Demand +3000
$650
EV(node 3) = MAX (EV(node 4), EV(node 7)) = Max (1870, 2000) = 2000
Decision: No Market Research
Decision Strategy:
Market research cost would have to be lowered $130,000 to $20,000 or less to make undertaking the
research desirable.
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Decision Analysis
11. a.
s1
-100
d1 s2
6 50
s3
150
Favorable
3
s1
d2 100
s2
7 100
s3
100
Agency
2
s1
-100
d1 s2
8 50
s3
150
Unfavorable
4
s1
d2 100
s2
9 100
s3
1 100
s1
-100
d1 s2
10 50
s3
150
No Agency
5
s1
d2 100
s2
11 100
s3
100
b. Using node 5,
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Chapter 21
If Favorable, Produce
If Unfavorable, Sell EV = $101.04
12. a.
s1
3500
d1 s2
6 1000
s3
Normal -1500
3 s1
7000
d2 s2
7 2000
s3
W ait -9000
2 s1
3500
d1 s2
8 2000
s3
-1500
Cold s1
4
7000
d2 s2
9 2000
s3
1 -9000
s1
3500
d1 s2
10 2000
s3
Don't W ait -1500
5 s1
7000
d2 s2
11 2000
s3
-9000
b. Using Node 5,
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Decision Analysis
The expected value of this decision strategy is the expected value of node 2.
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Chapter 21
Calculations
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Decision Analysis
Optimal Strategy:
If prediction is excellent, 2 lots
If prediction is very good, 1 lot
The EVPI is $14,000, but the V.P's recommendation is only valued at EVSI = $500. This indicates
additional information is probably worthwhile. The ability of the consultant to forecast market
conditions should be considered.
14.
State of Nature P(sj) P(I sj) P(I sj) P(sj I)
s1 0.2 0.10 0.020 0.1905
s2 0.5 0.05 0.025 0.2381
s3 0.3 0.20 0.060 0.5714
1.0 P(I) = 0.105 1.0000
c. Indicator I
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Chapter 21
16. a,b. The revised probabilities are shown on the branches of the decision tree.
s1 0.98 30
d1
7
s2 0.02
0.695C 30
3 s1 0.98
25
d2
8
s2 0.02
45
s1 0.79
30
d1
9
s2 0.21
30
W eather Check 0.215O
2 4 s1 0.79
25
d2
10
s2 0.21
45
s1 0.00
30
d1
11
s2 1.00
0.09R 30
5 s1 0.00
25
d2
12
1 s2 1.00
45
s1 0.85
30
d1
13
s2 0.15
No W eather Check 30
6 s1 0.85
25
d2
14
s2 0.15
45
EV(node 7) = 30
EV(node 8) = 0.98(25) + 0.02(45) = 25.4
EV(node 9) = 30
EV(node 10) = 0.79(25) + 0.21(45) = 29.2
EV(node 11) = 30
EV(node 12) = 0.00(25) + 1.00(45) = 45.0
EV(node 13) = 30
EV(node 14) = 0.85(25) + 0.15(45) = 28.0
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Decision Analysis
c. Strategy:
Check the weather, take the expressway unless there is rain. If rain, take Queen City Avenue.
s1
-20
.35
d1 s2
2 40
.35
s3
100
.30
1
s1
10
.35
d2 s2
3 45
.35
s3
70
.30
If s1 then d2
If s2 then d2
If s3 then d1
c. If F – Favorable
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Chapter 21
If U - Unfavorable
d. Assuming the test market study is used, a portion of the decision tree is shown below.
s1
-20
d1 s2
4 40
s3
100
F
2
s1
10
d2 s2
5 45
s3
70
1
s1
-20
d1 s2
6 40
s3
100
U
3
s1
10
d2 s2
7 45
s3
70
Summary of Calculations
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Decision Analysis
Decision strategy:
18. a. The expected value for the Large-Cap Stock mutual fund is as follows:
Repeating this calculation for each of the mutual funds provides the following expected annual
returns:
The Technology Sector provides the maximum expected annual return of 16.97%. Using this
recommendation, the minimum annual return is –20.1% and the maximum annual return is 93.1%.
b. The expected annual return for the Small-Cap Stock mutual fund is 15.20%. The Technology Sector
mutual fund recommended in part (a) has a larger expected annual return. The difference is 16.97%
– 15.20% = 1.77%.
c. The annual return for the Technology Sector mutual fund ranges from –20.1% to 93.1% while the
annual return for the Small-Cap Stock ranges from 6.0% to 33.3%. The annual return for the
Technology Sector mutual fund shows the greater variation in annual return. It is considered the
investment with the more risk. It does have a higher expected annual return, but only by 1.77%.
d. This is a judgment recommendation and opinions may vary. The higher risk Technology Sector
mutual fund only has a 1.77% higher expected annual return. We believe the lower risk, Small-Cap
Stock mutual fund would be the preferred recommendation for most investors.
19. a. The decision is to choose the best lease option; there are three alternatives. The chance event is the
number of miles driven. There are three possible outcomes.
b. The payoff table for is shown below. To illustrate how the payoffs were computed, we show how to
compute the total cost of the Forno Automotvie lease assuming Warren drives 15,000 miles per year.
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Chapter 21
With these probabilities, Warren would be indifferent between the Midtown Motors and Hopkins
Automotive leases. However, if the probability of driving 18,000 miles per year goes up any further,
the Hopkins Automotive lease will be the best.
Optimal Strategy:
b. At node 3, payoff for sell rights would have to be $25M or more. In order to recover the $5M R&D
cost, the selling price would have to be $30M or more.
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Decision Analysis
21. a.
Success
750
0.75
Accept
7
Failure
-250
0.25
Favorable
4
0.7
Reject
0
Review
2 Success
750
0.417
Accept
8
Failure
-250
0.583
Unfavorable
5
0.3
Reject
0
1
Success
750
0.65
Accept
6
Failure
-250
0.35
Do Not Review
3
Reject
0
Note: Regardless of the review outcome F or U, the recommended decision alternative is to accept
the manuscript.
The expected value is $400,000 regardless of review process. The company should accept the
manuscript.
c. The manuscript review cannot alter the decision to accept the manuscript. Do not do the manuscript
review.
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Chapter 21
d. Perfect Information.
EVwoPI = 400
A better procedure for assessing the market potential for the textbook may be worthwhile.
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