Summarize section 2.3.1 including the influence chart.

A. Section 2.3.1 Summary including the influence chart. This section walks through the decomposition process in building an influence chart - a pricing decision is used as the example for this section. It demonstrates that variables can be decomposed into sub-variables and fixed input parameters some sub-variables with their own set of variables and fixed input parameters. It begins with an objective “retained earnings” and decomposes it into some variables known to be needed in obtaining that objective, in this case “profit after taxes”, “profit before taxes” and “expenses”. The section outlines guidelines for constructing a chart:
B. Decide which variable this is; ask what single variable the decision maker will use to measure the success of a plan of action.
C. Decompose the outcome to measure into a small set of variables that determine it directly. Each of these variables should be independent of the others, and together they should be sufficient to determine the result.
D. Take each variable in turn and repeat this process of decomposition. For each variable, ask, “What do I need to know to determine…?”
E. Identify input data and decisions as they arise
F. Make sure that each variable appears only once in a diagram.
G. Highlight special types of elements with consistent symbols. In this section the following symbols were used:
a. Symbol for objective
i. An octagon is used.
b. Symbol for variable
i. A landscape oval is used
c. Symbol for fixed input parameter.
i. Triangles are used