§15§This book explores model selection using decision§trees based on discretized data, and the accompanying§implications this has for decision-makers. Model§selection is a non-trivial exercise with a large§impact on decision-making. An information criterion§for selecting between competing decision tree models§is presented along with a method for quantifying the§opportunity costs of choosing a specific decision§tree. After the initial information criterion§development a real world example from an American§insurance company call center is presented. The§example includes the development of a program to§automate data discretization, decision tree creation,§and decision tree selection. A decision tree is§chosen and critically analyzed from a managerial§decision-making point of view. Actual call center§performance data is used as input data and results§are identified and presented in a way that is§advantageous to managers.
