Analysis paralysis

Excessively detailed or time-consuming review of decisions, including minor decisions.

Analysis paralysis usually involves being too fearful about the potential disadvantages of a course of action.

It can result in substantial lost opportunity costs.

Cures for analysis paralysis include:

1. Recognising that delay and inaction are also choices, which can carry a significant cost, especially in lost opportunities.
2. Appropriately identifying which major projects and decisions truly warrant very detailed review, and making quicker decisions about other minor projects.
3. A culture of taking swift remedial action as projects evolve and opportunities to improve are identified.
4. Heuristics.

See also

• Heuristic
• Opportunity cost
• Project analysis
• Regret risk
• Zero-sum game