How To Build Decision Trees for Escalation Process

1. Identify Escalation Triggers: Begin by identifying the key triggers or criteria that indicate when an issue should be escalated. These triggers could include factors such as the complexity of the issue, the impact on the customer, adherence to service level agreements (SLAs), or the agent's inability to resolve the issue within a certain timeframe.
2. Define Decision Points: Determine the decision points that agents need to consider when determining whether to escalate an issue. These decision points should align with the escalation triggers identified in the previous step and provide clear guidelines for agents to follow.
3. Gather Data: Collect data on past escalation scenarios, including the types of issues that were escalated, the reasons for escalation, and the outcomes of the escalation process. This data will help inform the development of decision rules and criteria for the decision tree.
4. Develop Decision Rules: Based on the escalation triggers and decision points identified, develop decision rules for each branch of the decision tree. These rules should outline the criteria for making escalation decisions and the actions that agents should take in response to different scenarios.
5. Construct the Decision Tree: Using the decision points and decision rules identified, construct the decision tree structure. Start with the initial decision point (e.g., complexity of the issue) and branch out to subsequent decision points based on the possible outcomes at each step.
6. Test and Validate: Test the decision tree with sample scenarios to ensure that it accurately reflects the escalation process and produces the desired outcomes. Validate the decision tree with experienced agents to gather feedback and make any necessary adjustments.
7. Document and Train: Document the decision tree, including the decision points, decision rules, and branching logic, in a clear and concise format. Train agents on how to use the decision tree effectively, providing guidance on when and how to apply the decision rules in different situations.
8. Iterate and Improve: Continuously monitor and evaluate the performance of the decision tree in real-world escalation scenarios. Gather feedback from agents and supervisors, track key performance metrics such as escalation rates and resolution times, and make iterative improvements to the decision tree as needed.