Overthinking Syndrome (OS)
(Decision-Making / Paralysis by Analysis)
A cognitive and managerial dysfunction where excessive deliberation and over-analysis prevent timely decision-making. Managers suffering from OS fear making imperfect choices, leading to endless cycles of research, discussion, and second-guessing.
Examples from practice
A company taking two years to choose a new office software system, only for the selected software to be outdated by the time of implementation.
Advantages
Ensures thorough evaluation of risks and opportunities.
Disadvantages
Leads to missed market opportunities and delayed execution.