Helping decision makers frame, analyze, and implement decisions
April 23, 2018
- All decisions have the same recognizable elements. Context, objectives, alternatives, consequences, and deliberation. Decision makers and analysts familiar with these elements can quickly see the underlying structure of a decision.
- There are only a small number of classes of decisions. These classes differ in the cognitive and scientific challenge they present to the decision maker; the ability to recognize the class of decision leads a decision maker to tools to aid in the analysis.
- Sometimes we need more information, sometimes we don’t. The role of science in a decision-making process is to provide the predictions that link the alternative actions to the desired outcomes. Investing in more science is only valuable if it helps to choose a better action.
- Implementation. The successful integration of decision analysis into environmental decisions requires careful attention to the decision, the people, and the institutions involved.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2018 |
|---|---|
| Title | Helping decision makers frame, analyze, and implement decisions |
| Authors | Michael C. Runge, Eve McDonald-Madden |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Decision Point Online |
| Index ID | 70196795 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |