Taxonomy of a decision: ranking operational decisions within the SME

Abstract

Classical biological taxonomy comprises of three distinctive processes: the identification, classification and nomenclature of a given entity. This research applies the taxonomic process to operational decisions within the SME, allowing one such decision to be rated over another. The methodology was then applied to a case study company, before and after the introduction of decision support software (DSS), for a key decision-making process within that organisation. The value of this research lies in the ability to empirically measure the effect DSS (or a training program) has on a particular operational decision.