Save money, and replace Visio, Lucidchart, Lucidspark, and Miro with a SmartDraw site license.
A decision tree is a flowchart-like diagram that shows the various outcomes from a series of decisions. It can be used as a decision-making tool, for research analysis, or for planning strategy. A primary advantage for using a decision tree is that it is easy to follow and understand.
Decision trees have three main parts: a root node, leaf nodes and branches. The root node is the starting point of the tree, and both root and leaf nodes contain questions or criteria to be answered. Branches are arrows connecting nodes, showing the flow from question to answer. Each node typically has two or more nodes extending from it. For example, if the question in the first node requires a "yes" or "no" answer, there will be one leaf node for a "yes" response, and another node for "no."
SmartDraw's intelligent formatting makes it easy to create a decision tree, and hundreds of other diagrams, in minutes.
You'll want to start with a decision tree template then add decisions and unknowns by clicking simple commands in the SmartPanel. SmartDraw builds your diagram for you, connecting decisions and nodes intelligently.
Change the layout of your decision tree with just one click.
Simply click and type to add text.
You can add, move, or delete any part of your tree and the branches reconnect automatically, so your decision tree always looks great. You won't have to struggle to connect shapes manually.
You can also create a decision tree automatically using data. All you have to do is format your data in a way that SmartDraw can read the hierarchical relationships between decisions and you won't have to do any manual drawing.
Learn more about generating decision trees from data.
A decision tree can be used in either a predictive manner or a descriptive manner. In either instance they are constructed the same way and are always used to visualize all possible outcomes and decision points that occur chronologically. Decision trees are most commonly used in the financial world for areas such as loan approval, portfolio management, and spending. A decision tree can also be helpful when examining the viability of a new product or defining a new market for an existing product.
Here are some best practice tips for creating a decision tree diagram:
The best way to understand decision trees is to look at some examples of decision trees.
Click on any of these decision trees included in SmartDraw and edit them:
Browse SmartDraw's entire collection of decision tree examples and templates
Discover why SmartDraw is the best decision tree software today.