“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant.  We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.”  Albert Einstein

Analysis paralysis is a phrase that describes a situation where the opportunity cost of decision analysis exceeds the benefits that could be gained by enacting some decision, or to informal or nondeterministic situations where the sheer quantity of analysis overwhelms the decision making process itself, thus preventing a decision.

In software development, analysis paralysis typically manifests itself through long phases of planning and requirements gathering.  It can occur in analysts that have been “burned” after project completion for not thinking or including critical items.  Managers or people in the organization that find error in post mortem or production support and hunt down the analysts and perform a public hanging – often inject fear into project teams for many projects to come.  Sometimes this induces tribe members to need a fully detailed, no risk map before the leader calls to “getter done”.  How to you support your “action takers” whom give the tribe the momentum to get unstuck? 

The other problem is that when you over analyze something you make it very difficult for your intuition to communicate with you.  If you have been in the industry and have been around, listen to your gut.  So, repeat after me: Being logical about a situation is good.  Finding the facts is good.  Over analyzing and being unable to make a decision: not so good.  Reflect on my past post, make a decision even if its wrong.

The goal in all of this isn’t to avoid doing a proper analysis of your course and determining how to best meet your objectives.  Instead, it’s to find the right balance between collecting the relevant information and getting your projects delivered in a timely manner.

How to Avoid Analysis Paralysis
1.  Begin with intuition, not analysis. 
It’s easier to avoid analysis paralysis than to get yourself out of it. When you start the decision making process with analysis, you suppress your intuition.  The next time you have a decision to make, check in first with your intuition. 

2. Ask questions that encourage your intuition.
This is absolutely crucial when using your intuition.  Be careful not to ask questions that use the word why.  Asking why will make you think, putting your analytical brain into over-drive.  Ask questions that use the words how or what to invoke your intuition.  For example, you can ask, “What do I need to know about this situation?”

3. Forgo Perfection.
I know there is a Mr/Mrs Perfection inside you to get everything perfect but it is highly not possible that everything will turn out the way you want to be in the first place. Just forget about perfection and start taking action.

4. Find an Action Taker
Find someone who is able to take action. Whenever you are stuck with analysis paralysis, find them and talk to them about your problem. Most likely you will get a positive reply and get the momentum you need to get going.

The tips had work fine for me in helping to take action and also to achieve results. Analysis without action does not help you to have any kind of positive results.  I too need to reflect on the tips from time to time.  I too fall into the trap of analysis paralysis.

Thank You for listening.