How I Overcame Analysis Paralysis with Cognitive Theory from the 70s

Decision-making in engineering often involves choosing between many viable tools with different trade-offs. The Elimination by Aspects (EBA) framework, developed by psychologist Amos Tversky, offers a systematic way to narrow options by filtering them against must-have criteria one aspect at a time. Whether buying a lawnmower or selecting a CSV parser, EBA reduces overwhelm, enforces non-negotiables, and keeps the process transparent and defensible. While not perfect, it helps engineers avoid analysis paralysis and make confident, rational choices in fast-moving tech environments.