Decision engine

1. A method for decision-making implemented as a computer program in a computer-readable storage medium comprising:

obtaining options to be considered for the outcome of a decision;

obtaining influencing factors in making the decision;

obtaining a non-preprogrammed rating of the importance of each of the influencing factors from a user of the computer program;

obtaining a weighting of each of the influencing factors for each of the options; and

computing and displaying a ranking of the options.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the options comprise products for potential purchase.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the options comprise clinical treatment pathways.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 , and further comprising:

obtaining a reason that each of the influencing factors is important.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 , and further comprising:

providing resources to assist a user in weighting the influencing factors.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 , and further comprising:

pre-weighting the influencing factors based on known, quantifiable information about the influencing factors.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 , and further comprising:

assessing whether extra effort is needed for any of the options.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7 , and further comprising:

obtaining the needed extra effort, the impact of making the effort, and the willingness to make the effort.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 , and further comprising:

obtaining any critical dates associated with the extra effort.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the ranking of options is computed by multiplying the importance and weight of each factor, and adding the results for each option.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the rankings are displayed to the user in a scorecard format.

12. A method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the ranking of options is computed by multiplying the importance and weight of each factor, adding the results for each option and, if extra effort was required, modifying the result based on the extra effort.

13. A method as claimed in claim 2 , and further comprising:

providing the ability to purchase products and accessories based on the user's options, influencing factors, and ratings and weights assigned to those factors.

14. A method as claimed in claim 1 , and further comprising:

collecting and storing data input by multiple users to facilitate analysis of decision-making patterns and factors.

15. A method as claimed in claim 1 , and further comprising:

developing an action plan for making a chosen option a reality.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the steps for developing an action plan comprise:

obtaining obstacles standing in the way of making the chosen option a reality;

obtaining ratings of the impact of the obstacles on making the chosen option a reality;

obtaining creative ideas for overcoming the obstacles;

determining risk by obtaining ratings of the user's difficulty to implement the creative ideas and the user's willingness to implement the creative ideas;

obtaining additional creative ideas if it is necessary to reduce the risk; and

generating and displaying an action plan based on the chosen option, the obstacles and the creative ideas for overcoming the obstacles.

17. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having computer instructions stored therein for assisting a user in making a purchase decision, the computer program product comprising instructions for:

obtaining a selection of products to be considered for purchase;

obtaining a selection of influencing factors in the purchase;

obtaining a rating of the importance of each of the influencing factors;

obtaining a reason that each of the influencing factors is important;

obtaining a weighting of the factors for each option, and providing resources to assist the user in the weighting;

computing and displaying a ranking of the products by multiplying the importance of each factor by its weighting and adding the results for each of the options; and

providing the option to purchase the products.

18. A computer program product as claimed in claim 17 , and further comprising:

collecting and storing the input of multiple users for use in analyzing consumer buying patterns and in tailoring and targeting products based on those patterns.

19. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having computer instructions stored therein for assisting a patient in making a clinical treatment decision, the computer program product comprising instructions for:

obtaining a selection of clinical treatment options to be considered;

obtaining a selection of influencing factors in the choice of options;

obtaining a rating of the importance of each of the influencing factors;

obtaining a reason that each of the influencing factors is important;

obtaining a weighting of the factors for each option, and providing resources to assist the user in the weighting; and

computing and displaying a ranking of the clinical treatment options by multiplying the importance of each factor by its weighting and adding the results for each of the options.

20. A computer program product as claimed in claim 19 , and further comprising:

collecting and storing the input of multiple patients for use by clinicians in prospectively addressing concerns of other patients, for use by researchers in better tailoring and directing future studies, and for use by developers of new devices and therapies.