Abstract: System and method for scoring and ranking possible outcome scenarios within a range of possible outcome scenarios for a defined issue. The system and the method may practiced manually or on a computer system by defining a range of possible outcome scenarios for the defined issue, including a status quo outcome scenario, defining and ranking the factors and options associated with the defined issue, establishing pathways linking the options to the possible outcome scenarios, using reverse induction to generate a utility payoff schedule for the range of possible outcome scenarios, calculating an average influence-weighted utility payoff score for each possible outcome scenario, and ranking the possible outcome scenarios from most likely to least likely to occur based on the average influence-weighted utility payoff scores. Embodiments of the invention may also be used to determine the most likely egalitarian outcome scenario and the amount of friction for the defined issue.