Scalable Decisions using a Bayesian Decision-Theoretic Approach

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Ng, Hoiyi, Imbens, Guido
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Ng, Hoiyi
Imbens, Guido
author_facet Ng, Hoiyi
Imbens, Guido
contents Randomized controlled experiments assess new policy impacts on performance metrics to inform launch decisions. Traditional approaches evaluate metrics independently despite correlations, and mixed results (e.g., positive revenue impact, negative customer experience) require manual judgment, hindering scalability. We propose a Bayesian decision-theoretic framework that systematically incorporates multiple objectives and trade-offs by comparing expected risks across decisions. Our approach combines experimenter-defined loss functions with observed evidence, using hierarchical models to leverage historical experiment learnings for prior information on treatment effects. Through real and simulated Amazon supply chain experiments, we demonstrate that compared to null hypothesis statistical testing, our method increases estimation efficiency via informative hierarchical priors and simplifies decision-making by systematically incorporating business preferences and costs for comprehensive, scalable decisions.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_20031
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Scalable Decisions using a Bayesian Decision-Theoretic Approach
Ng, Hoiyi
Imbens, Guido
Applications
Methodology
Randomized controlled experiments assess new policy impacts on performance metrics to inform launch decisions. Traditional approaches evaluate metrics independently despite correlations, and mixed results (e.g., positive revenue impact, negative customer experience) require manual judgment, hindering scalability. We propose a Bayesian decision-theoretic framework that systematically incorporates multiple objectives and trade-offs by comparing expected risks across decisions. Our approach combines experimenter-defined loss functions with observed evidence, using hierarchical models to leverage historical experiment learnings for prior information on treatment effects. Through real and simulated Amazon supply chain experiments, we demonstrate that compared to null hypothesis statistical testing, our method increases estimation efficiency via informative hierarchical priors and simplifies decision-making by systematically incorporating business preferences and costs for comprehensive, scalable decisions.
title Scalable Decisions using a Bayesian Decision-Theoretic Approach
topic Applications
Methodology
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.20031