# Utility Node

A utility node represents an additive contribution to the utility function in a (limited-memory) influence diagram. Thus, the utility function is the sum of all the utility nodes in the influence diagram.

Each utility function has assigned a utility table which specifies the utility of each configuration of the parents of the utility node (in an influence diagram, a link from a decision node or a discrete chance node represents the decision node/chance node to contribute directly to the utility function).

A utility node can be added to the current network (which will then be an influence diagram) by activating the Utility Tool and clicking somewhere in the Network Pane.