All-New PrecisionTree^®
PrecisionTree performs decision analysis in Microsoft Excel using decision trees and influence diagrams.  Decision trees let you visually map out complex, multi-layered decisions in a sequential, organized manner.  This helps you identify all possible alternatives and choose the best option.

Excel Ease of Use

PrecisionTree is a true add-in to Microsoft Excel, integrating completely with your spreadsheet. Browse, define, analyze—while never leaving Excel. PrecisionTree nodes, branches, and arcs are placed directly in your model, and values appear in the formula bar.  Context-sensitive right-click menus and the PrecisionTree toolbar make learning and navigating PrecisionTree a snap.

How PrecisionTree Works

Build a Decision Tree
Decision trees provide a formal structure in which decisions and chance events are linked in sequence from left to right.  Decisions, chance events, and end results are represented by nodes and connected by branches.  The result is a tree structure with the "root" on the left and various payoffs on the right.  Probabilities of events occurring and payoffs for events and decisions are added to each node in the tree.  With PrecisionTree, you’ll see the payoff and probability of each possible path through a tree.

You can add PrecisionTree functions to any cell in a spreadsheet and can include arguments that are cell references and expressions - allowing great flexibility in defining decision models.  You can also collapse and restore branches to the right of any given node for simplicity and easier navigation through the tree.

Analyze Your Results
PrecisionTree determines the best decision to make at each decision node and marks the branch for that decision TRUE. Once your decision tree is complete, PrecisionTree’s decision analysis creates a full statistics report on the best decision to make and its comparison with alternative decisions.   

PrecisionTree can create a Risk Profile graph that compares the payoffs and risk of different decision options.  It displays probability and cumulative charts showing the probabilities of different outcomes and of an outcome less than or equal to a certain value.

PrecisionTree can also perform a sensitivity analysis by modifying the values of the variables you specify and recording the changes in the expected value of the tree.  You can change one or two variables at a time.  Results include sensitivity, tornado, spider, and strategy-region graphs.

Policy Suggestion Report – A reduced version of the decision tree that displays only the optimum decisions in your model.  It includes a Policy Decision Table which lists each decision in a model, the probability of arriving at that decision, and the benefit of making the correct choice for that decision.

Strategy Region Graphs – One-Way Strategy Region graphs display the expected values for each decision over the range of one variable. Two-Way Strategy Region graphs show you which decision is optimal over the range of two variables.

Unlimited tree nodes – For your largest models, PrecisionTree Industrial allows decision trees of unlimited size.

Part of the DecisionTools Suite
PrecisionTree is available by itself or as part of the DecisionTools Suite, Palisade’s complete risk and decision analysis toolkit.  The DecisionTools Suite includes @RISK, which adds risk analysis to Excel using Monte Carlo simulation, TopRankfor what-if analysis, NeuralTools and StatTools for data analysis, and more. DecisionTools Suite components are compatible with each other can be combined for greater insight and analysis. For example 

PrecisionTree and @RISK
PrecisionTree represents chance events and payoffs with discrete values or probabilities. When combined with @RISK, @RISK enhances the analysis by representing continuous ranges of outcomes for chance events and payoffs. By running Monte Carlo simulation on your decision tree, you'll see more possible outcomes of your decision than you could with static tree values alone.

PrecisionTree and TopRank
PrecisionTree models can also be run with TopRank to identify the most critical factors in larger, more complex tree models. TopRank performs sensitivity analysis on your tree. 

Stand-alone Licenses

Stand-alone licenses are intended for use by one person on one computer.

They may not be run from a server. Every stand-alone license comes with its own serial number and activation ID which unlocks the software for perpetual use. Software activation can be done with a single click over the Internet or manually via e-mail. Stand-alone licenses may be transferred from one computer to another once every 90 days, but may never be used one more than one computer at a time.

Concurrent network licenses are intended to serve multiple users from a network server. The software is installed on a single server, but may also be installed on an unlimited number of client computers. The restriction is placed on the number of users who can access the software at the same time, i.e., concurrently. Concurrent network licenses are a very cost-effective way to serve many people who need to use the software occasionally and “log off” when finished.

Concurrent network licenses utilize FLEXnet technology and come with one serial number and activation ID, regardless of the number of users. Software activation is only required for the server license, not the client installations. Activation can be done with a single click over the Internet or manually via e-mail. The same installer may be used on all client computers, so scripting is very straightforward. In addition, concurrent network licenses support Terminal Services and Citrix environments. The server license may be transferred from one server to another once every 90 days, but may never be used on more than one server at a time.

Concurrent network licenses also allow “borrowing,” or temporarily taking one license off the network server and putting it on the client computer. This lets someone use the software even if their computer is disconnected from the server (e.g., taking a laptop on a trip). When a license is borrowed, an expiration date must be set by the user. At expiration, the license is automatically returned to the server license pool and ceases to function on the disconnected client.

Enterprise Activation Server licenses use FLEXnet technology to allow you to grant and manage stand-alone licenses of Palisade software from your own server instead of the Palisade license server.

Rather than requiring every stand-alone user to contact the Palisade license server to activate their software, each user would instead contact your own server once to activate. A single activation ID may be used for all license installations. You can expand the number of users on the license by purchasing additional users for the same server without having to use a new activation ID. If users wish to transfer licenses from one computer to another, the deactivation and reactivation of licenses can be managed on your local server as well. Enterprise Activation Servers are a great option for companies with strict firewall or security protocols, and make license management easy. Simply check your server to see how many installations you’ve used, and who has them.

Corporate Licenses

Palisade corporate licenses are purchasing options that enable you to get the most software for your money, deployed in the most efficient manner possible. Using the concurrent network or Enterprise Activation methods (though may be customized however you wish) and are structured according to your organizational needs and volume.

Investing in a Palisade corporate license is the most cost-effective path to better decisions enterprise-wide. By switching from haphazardly purchasing individual copies to adopting a corporate license, many companies have found that the return on their software investment dramatically improved. Not only was their investment outlay reduced compared to buying individual copies, but widespread access to the software encouraged better decision-making throughout the organization.

There are two kinds of corporate licenses:

Site Licenses – Provide software access to everyone at a particular physical location.

Enterprise Licenses – Provide access to the software throughout an organization or division regardless.