subdecision

noun

sub·​de·​ci·​sion ˌsəb-di-ˈsi-zhən 

variants or sub-decision

plural subdecisions or sub-decisions

: one of a set of relatively small decisions that are involved in making a larger decision

For example, suppose that in a decision problem the contending options are a, b, and c. One subdecision is between a and b. Another subdecision is between b and c. If a is adopted over b, and b is adopted over c, then the combination of subdecisions yields a as the resolution of the overall decision problem.

—Paul Weirich

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above