We are in an era of high volatility and uncertain outcomes, driven by accelerating technologies, shortened product cycles, fast-changing information, an increasingly mobile workforce, more demanding customers, complex financial markets, ad-hoc public policies, and many other factors that add layers of uncertainty to all future possibilities. In an information- and knowledge-driven environment with high levels of uncertainty, most traditional ideas of structure, system, and strategy are ineffective. This book shows how to create, maintain, and accelerate an organization in a highly uncertain environment using flexibility. It analyzes the organization holistically and details its primary components independently. The author presents an economic framework of decision options to diagnose existing flexibility problems and provides guidance on how to improve flexibility and reduce risk. The text also describes how to design and maintain a high performance organization for the long run in an environment of high uncertainty.
Gill Eapen is the founder and managing principal of Decision Options, LLC―a boutique advisory services company. Decision Options pioneered the practical application of options-based valuation of private assets to aid decision making in industries that show high levels of uncertainty and flexibility, such as life sciences, energy, technology, financial, and legal services. He conceived and led the development of a technology platform― Decision Options Technology―that allows modeling of complex decision problems and assets to improve decision making, risk management, and portfolio maximization. Prior to establishing Decision Options, he was group director at Pfizer, responsible for the financial analysis and planning of the research and development (R&D) portfolio. During his tenure at Pfizer, Mr. Eapen conceived and led the development of a forecasting and capital allocation methodology and system that incorporate uncertainty emanating from all aspects of pharmaceutical R&D. He also conceived methodologies to incorporate flexibility in the management of uncertainty and helped senior decision makers in R&D to allocate resources more optimally across the portfolio. Before that, he was manager at Deloitte Consulting Group, providing advisory services to a variety of clients in software, technology, commodities, consumer goods, logistics, and manufacturing. Previous employers also include Hewlett Packard Company and Asea Brown Boveri. Mr. Eapen holds graduate degrees from the University of Chicago and Northwestern University as well as an undergraduate degree from the Indian Institute of Technology. He is a CFA charter holder and a member of the Boston Security Analysts Society. His first book, Decision Options: The Art and Science of Making Decisions, details a formal treatment of economic valuation and decision making in companies. His blog, which focuses on market-based policy options, is titled "Ideas, Options, and Speculation." The details of Decision Options, LLC are available at http://decisionoptions.com.
