Decision Making and Decision Aids

Systems can be described in terms of inputs transformed into outputs, as a process of fulfilment of a purpose, or the pursuit of a goal. The last is the equivalent of decision making and is a basic human activity. As a scientific area it is called praxeology and includes both normative and descriptive decision theory. In normative theory the goals are given and the decision method to reach them is prescribed and considered the ultimate. Descriptive theory is concerned with the way people actually make decisions without reference to the efficiency of their method. Belonging to the area of decision theory there is also game theory, a mathematical approach to problems of games involving conflict or competition among the participators. A decision which is not communicated and put into action is, however, no decision at all. Therefore decision making and communication must be considered as totally interdependent.