What is the EDA Approach?

At its core, EDA is about categorising choices into three levels:

• Essential (E) – The non-negotiables. Without these, the deal falls apart.
• Desirable (D) – The nice-to-haves. These add value but aren’t deal-breakers.
• Acceptable (A) – The minimum you can live with. Not ideal, but workable.

This approach is so simple, yet once you start using it, you’ll realise how powerful it is.

Example 1: The Pizza Dilemma🍕

Imagine you’re ordering a pizza. Your cravings kick in, and you start thinking about your ideal choice.

• Essential: The pizza must be freshly made and arrive hot — because no one enjoys stale, cold pizza!
• Desirable: You’d love a generous layer of cheese, fresh toppings, and a perfectly crispy crust.
• Acceptable: If the crust isn’t as crispy as you prefer or they skimp a little on the toppings, you might still go for it — because pizza is still pizza.

Fun fact: My favourite pizza is Hawaiian pizza (yes, the one with pineapple!). So, if the restaurant doesn’t have it, I’ll use the EDA approach—maybe I’ll opt for Pepperoni Chicken instead, but if all they have is plain cheese, that’s my last-resort acceptable option.

Now, you don’t waste time overanalysing the menu. You know what’s a must, what’s preferred, and what’s still okay. Decision made.

Example 2: Negotiating a Business Contract🤝

Now, let’s take this mindset into a real-world scenario — negotiating a contract with a vendor.

Say you’re a business owner signing a deal with a software provider. You don’t want to get stuck in endless back-and-forth negotiations, so you apply the EDA approach:

• Essential: The software must include core features your business relies on, have a clear service-level agreement (SLA) for uptime, and offer secure data protection. Without these, you’re not even considering the deal.
• Desirable: You’d love if they provided 24/7 customer support, customization options, or discounted pricing for long-term use — great perks but not absolute deal-breakers.
• Acceptable: If they can’t offer round-the-clock support but have a reliable ticketing system with a 24-hour response time, you might be willing to accept that.

By knowing your EDA levels, you can negotiate with confidence, knowing when to push and when to compromise strategically.

Example 3: The Right Fit Puzzle🧩 

Let’s apply EDA to employment decisions — whether you’re looking for a new job or hiring a candidate.

If you’re job hunting, here’s how you can use it:

• Essential: The job must match your skill set, offer fair compensation, and have growth opportunities. Without these, it’s a no-go.
• Desirable: You’d love a hybrid work setup, a great team culture, and additional perks like wellness benefits.
• Acceptable: If everything else is great but the office location is further than you’d like, you might still take the offer.

If you’re an employer, the same concept applies when hiring:

• Essential: The candidate must meet the required skills and fit the role’s core demands.
• Desirable: A candidate with extra certifications, leadership experience, or industry-specific expertise is a bonus.
• Acceptable: If the candidate lacks some preferred skills but has strong potential, they might still be a great hire.

EDA helps in both hiring and job searching by setting clear expectations!

Why You Should Start Using EDA Today

People have pointed out that I tend to overthink things — guilty as charged🤦‍♀️! I bet you have been stuck on a decision at times too. That’s where EDA shines — it cuts through the noise. The funny thing? This simple yet effective approach has always been there — we just tend to overlook its importance and practicality.

Next time you’re feeling stuck, take a step back and ask yourself:

💭What’s essential?
💭What’s desirable?
💭What’s acceptable?

Whether you’re deciding on a purchase, negotiating a deal, job hunting or hiring the right fit for your business, this approach will help you stay clear-headed and flexible.

Give it a try and see how much easier decision-making becomes!