The Minutiae Monster is not hopeless. He just requires an extra measure of TLC. Break decisions down into incremental parts to address the Minutiae Monster's inability to make decisions. Realize that you can't ask the Minutiae Monster not to fixate on the details. Instead, give him micro rather than macro decisions to make. This way you're not missing the valuable observations Minutiae Monsters are capable of.
Also, don't let the Minutiae Monster languish without the tools and help necessary to get organized - start building his skills. Establishing clear priorities and deadlines for him will yield more timely responses to the demands of his job.
FOCUS ON THE LITTLE THINGS.
Consider the component parts of an issue and ask the Minutiae Monster to give an opinion on each aspect. "This is a good overall timeline for the project," you might say. "How does this break down into daily scheduling?"
Make notes that chronicle how the Minutiae Monster's many smaller decisions and judgment calls have added up to bigger decisions with broader implications. This will diminish the Minutiae Monster's fear that making a big decision will inevitably lead to a mistake.
Reward the Minutiae Monster every time he actually does something in a reasonable amount of time. Use every opportunity to send the message that doing things in a reasonable amount of time is as important as doing them right. Remind subordinate Minutiae Monsters to balance details and output.
BUILD MINUTIAE MONSTERS' SKILL SETS.
Send the Minutiae Monster to formal training classes to learn time management, organization skills, and prioritizing. These should be instructor-led courses, not online: Self-directed lessons don't work for individuals who are prone to distraction. Make sure that the instructor understands Minutiae Monsters' issues.
Team up the Minutiae Monster with a peer mentor with strong organizational skills and efficient work habits. Such informal training will show the Minutiae Monster how good work habits will pay off and will help him learn to work better with peers.
Document the Minutiae Monster's progress in developing new skills and make note of how his behavior improves. You can then adjust the focus of the training as necessary. Your attentiveness will make the Minutiae Monster's efforts seem all the more important and consequently will reinforce them.
SET PRIORITIES.
Besides their decision-making problems, obsession with detail, and poor work habits, Minutiae Monsters seem to follow every rabbit trail they come across. Sit down with the Minutiae Monster to draft a schedule that specifies priorities. Keep his focus on the task at hand by establishing what is most important to accomplish, what is second most important, and so forth. Follow through with regularly scheduled coaching sessions to monitor his progress and note how long the Minutiae Monster stays on task. Continue to raise the bar as he improves.
Finally, recognize what the Minutiae Monster has accomplished by taking him out to lunch or publicly mentioning his contributions in the company newsletter. Use every opportunity to let the Minutiae Monster know that performance counts. You need to be directive in your leadership and peer mentoring to improve his performance. People who need more specific direction can get it through constructive confrontation - that is, written performance contracts, accountability meetings, and celebrations of progress.