From 23–25 October 2025, members of our team attended the Decision Quality Conference in Stevenage, organized by the Society of Decision Professionals (SDP). The event brought together experts and practitioners applying the Decision Analysis (DA) approach across diverse fields, from pharmaceuticals and energy to private consulting, offering a fascinating cross-sector perspective on how structured decision-making supports complex challenges.
The conference was structured around two main themes:
Day 1: What makes a good decision, and how can organizations create more value through Decision Quality (DQ)?
Day 2: How can organizations achieve DQ more consistently by combining AI, human insight, collaboration, and better risk management?
These discussions revisited the six elements of Decision Quality: appropriate framing, creative alternatives, relevant information, clear values and trade-offs, sound reasoning, and commitment to action. We explored how to balance human intuition with analytical tools in an increasingly AI-driven world.
It was inspiring to meet professionals with decades of experience in DA and realize how many of the structured processes we use intuitively in research and everyday decisions reflect Decision Analysis principles. Talks on behavioral insights and AI as a partner in decision-making sparked lively conversations, reinforcing that while AI enhances reasoning and consistency, human judgment remains irreplaceable. Participants also explored tools currently under development to support quality decision-making.
Dr. Simone Kathrin Kriesemer presented her poster on the DIRECT Project, titled “Needs assessment where it is most needed: Can decision science contribute to food security in Malawi?”. Conference participants were interested in the application of decision science in an agricultural context in the global south. The discussions around awareness about intercultural differences and the importance of the pre-framing / framing phases and stakeholder workshop planning brought valuable insights for the project’s initiation phase and project management.
Dr. Cory Whitney presented on work led by Dorcas Sanginga titled “Assessing the Potential of Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Northern Ghana: A Critical Inquiry”. A decision model for sustainable intensification that addresses uncertainty, simulates and forecasts the farm-level sustainability outcomes for different farmers’ typologies in cereal-legume systems in northern Ghana.
Dr. Prajna Kasargodu Anebagilu presented work from the ReForest project, showcasing the dynamic management tools developed to help farmers and policymakers make informed decisions about agroforestry. Her poster, titled “Decision Analysis for Agroforestry: Supporting Sustainable Agricultural Decisions,” highlighted how decision analysis can guide the adoption and scaling of sustainable agricultural practices.
All the posters were well received, with participants, mainly from the pharma and energy sectors, appreciating a refreshing academic and sustainability-oriented perspective.
The event provided valuable opportunities for learning, networking, and reflection on how frameworks of Decision Analysis and Decision Quality can be advanced across disciplines, from industry to academia.
