A comparison of graphical techniques for decision analysis

Recently, we proposed a new method for representing and solving decision problems based on the framework of valuation-based systems. The new representation is called a valuation network, and the new solution method is called a fusion algorithm. In this paper, we compare valuation networks with decision trees and influence diagrams. We also compare the fusion algorithm with the backward recursion method of decision trees and with the arc-reversal method of influence diagrams.