The Role and Importance of a Decision Engineer in Automated Decision Making - Decisimo - Decision Intelligence Services

A decision engineer is a professional responsible for designing and building decision models for use in automated decision-making processes.

They work with data and algorithms to create models that can be used by artificial intelligence systems to make decisions based on specific rules and criteria.

The goal of the decision engineer is to develop decision models that are transparent, explainable, and aligned with the objectives of the business.

What are the skills necessary

The role of a decision engineer requires a combination of technical and business skills. In terms of technical abilities and expertise, a decision engineer must have:

• Strong knowledge of data analytics and algorithms: They must be able to collect, process, and analyze large amounts of data to develop decision models that are based on accurate and relevant information.
• Expertise in programming languages: They should be proficient in at least one programming language, such as Python, R, or SQL, and have experience with machine learning libraries and frameworks.
• Understanding of artificial intelligence and machine learning: They must have a deep understanding of the principles and techniques of AI and machine learning, and be able to apply these concepts to the development of decision models.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders: They must be able to explain complex technical concepts in a way that is easy for others to understand and act upon.

What about soft skills

In addition to technical abilities, a decision engineer must also have:

• Practical field knowledge and situational awareness: They should have an understanding of the environment in which the decisions and its outcomes happen, and be able to apply this knowledge to develop decision models that are effective and relevant to the specific context.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills: They must be able to work effectively with a team and analyze complex business problems to design effective decision models.
• Ability to present decision models in a clear and understandable manner: They must be able to present their decision models in a way that is easy for others to understand and implement.

Why situational awareness is important

Situational awareness is an essential aspect of the role of a decision engineer.,

It involves understanding the context in which decisions and their outcomes take place, including the environment, stakeholders, and business goals.

Good situational awareness allows the decision engineer to build decision models that are relevant, effective, and aligned with the objectives of the business.

How to build situational awareness

To build good situational awareness, a decision engineer should take the following steps:

1. Gather information: Conduct research to understand the business environment, stakeholders, and goals. This may involve speaking with subject matter experts, reviewing reports and data, and conducting stakeholder interviews.
2. Identify decision points: Identify the key points in the decision-making process where automated decisions will be made. These decision points can range from simple rules-based decisions to more complex machine learning algorithms.
3. Analyze situational levers: Analyze the factors that drive outcomes at each decision point, including data inputs, rules, and criteria. This information can be used to build decision models that are effective and aligned with the goals of the business.
4. Validate situational awareness: Validate the accuracy of the situational awareness by testing the decision models and comparing the outcomes to the expectations. This allows the decision engineer to make adjustments and refine the decision models as needed.

Why Every Company Needs a Decision Engineer

The role of a decision engineer is critical in today's rapidly advancing technological landscape, where automated decision making processes play a major role in many businesses.

With their combination of technical and business skills, decision engineers ensure that decision models are transparent, explainable, and aligned with the goals of the company.

Every company that is involved in decision intelligence should have a decision engineer to take full advantage of the benefits of automated decision making and stay ahead in a competitive market.

Future outlook

Future outlook for decision engineers is positive with growing demand for automated decision making.

Their responsibilities may evolve to handle complex models with advances in technology.

Ethics and transparency in decision making will be crucial, requiring decision engineers to stay informed and implement responsible and ethical principles in their models.