by Daniel J. Power
Editor, DSSResources.COM

Important decision situations often have many issues that need to be addressed. Some issues are more central to resolving the problem or exploiting the opportunity than others and are hence more important focus upon and to resolve rationally and systematically. This does not always occur. A phenomenon variously referred to as the bike shed problem, bikeshedding and Parkinson's law of triviality suggests that people and groups don't prioritize appropriately allocation of decision making time and resources. The urbandictionary.com defines bikeshedding as "technical disputes over minor, marginal issues conducted while more serious ones are being overlooked." Decision process support may help reduce this phenomenon.

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_law_of_triviality

http://personalexcellence.co/blog/bike-shed-effect/

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bikeshedding

http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Parkinsons-law-of-triviality-bikeshedding