analysis paralysis
Analysis paralysis is an informal phrase applied when the opportunity cost of decision analysis exceeds the benefits. Analysis paralysis applies to any situation where analysis may be applied to help make a decision and may be a dysfunctional element of organizational behavior. Often phrased as paralysis by analysis, in contrast to extinct by instinct.
Software development
In software development, analysis paralysis manifests itself through exceedingly long phases of project planning, requirements gathering, program design and modeling, with little or no extra value created by those steps.
Analysis paralysis tends to emphasize the organizational (bureaucratic) aspect of the software project, while detracting from its functional (value-creating) portion.
Analysis paralysis occurs often due to the lack of experience on the part of business systems analysts, project managers or developers, as well as a rigid and formal organizational culture.
Analysis paralysis is an example of an anti-pattern.
Casual Analysis Paralysis
Casual Analysis Paralysis can occur at any time, regarding any issue in typical conversation. Usually however, analysis paralysis occurs during more elevated, intellectual conversation. Analysis paralysis involves the over-analysis of a specific issue to the point where the issue can no longer be recognized, and the subject of the conversation is lost. Usually the reason for this is that complex issues (often the basis of elevated, intellectual conversation) are intricately connected with various other issues and the pursuit of these various issues makes logical sense to the participants. Often, analysis paralysis is unavoidable and in some cases even desirable. The exploration of related issues can often lead to a solution (if a true solution is ever possible in such conversations) of the main issue at hand. Below is an example of how analysis paralysis might affect a conversation about human rights:
Human Rights → China's One Child Policy → Female Infanticide → Moral Implications → Individual/Common Good → …
The issues are closely related and each issue brings up yet another. The assumption is that eventually, the analysis will move on so far astray that the initial issue of human rights becomes a sub-issue or is no longer recognizable: analysis paralysis. See also wicked problems.
Board Games
In board games, analysis paralysis denotes a state where a player is so overwhelmed by the decision tree that he or she faces that the player's turn takes an inordinate amount of time. The connotation is often pejorative, implying that the slowing of the game diminished the enjoyment by other players.
Workplace
Analysis paralysis can be used to describe the way that information affects workplace productivity. An overload of physical mail, email, internet websites, voicemails, telephone and cellphone calls, memos, faxes, and interpersonal communication can make it difficult or impossible for employees to make decisions.
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