How do you know when enough information is enough?

Some people who rely on their gut argue that data driven decision making causes analysis paralysis.

Some people who cause analysis paralysis have very good reasons for appearing to be paralyzed.

I can think of three classifications of inquiry that correspond to three levels of information sufficiency.

Specifically:

• Convenient reasoners, those who know what they know, and are looking for evidence to support their case, have enough information when they feel like they have enough compelling evidence for their case, and no more.

• Those who have a hypothesis will be temporarily satisfied with a firm accept/reject. The very next inquiry will either be based on convenient reasoning, or, another hypothesis.

• Those who don’t know what they don’t know and have a strategic trigger will make several queries over time. They’re looking for understanding and are generally skeptical of the assumptions that the hivemind takes as gospel. They appear to be paralyzed. It’s not that they can’t make a decision. It’s just that they won’t.

All three situations have triggers where enough information is enough.

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I’m Christopher Berry.
I tweet about analytics @cjpberry
I write at christopherberry.ca