View359Public View531Ĭomparison SchemesIn comparing schemes we must always be aware of the uncertainty areas. Identifying comparison areas Within each area assign a value to each scheme.Įxample Comparison AreasWe can compare each scheme in terms of:Capital cost ( millions) Running costs ( millions) Acceptability to government (110 scale in which 1 is not acceptable) Acceptability to the public (1-10 scale).ĪBCCapital Cost0200400Running Cost04075Gov. Uncertainty ListThe list of uncertainties now has two more factors:Ĭan we find sites for more prisons (UE)?Will ten prisons be too many (UE)?Will Government/legal profession support longer sentences (UV)?ĭynamics of Strategic ChoiceComparing ModeIn this mode we compare the decision schemes using: SchemeBuild more prisons?Longer sentences?Increase reward for informing?ANoNoNoBYesFive moreYesYesCYesTen moreYesYes List a small number actions in each area List incompatible options List all feasible decision schemes by selecting an action from each area.Įxample Option GraphLines Show IncompatibilitiesBuild More Prisons?Increase RewardsFor Informing?Impose Longer Sentences?NoYes Five MoreYesTen MoreNoYesNoYes Identify Problem FocusSelect three or four decision areas Usually these are important, urgent and/or connected Add any factors as necessary to the uncertainty list.Įxample Problem FocusBuild more prisons?Impose longer sentences?Increase rewards for informing?Ĭan we find more sites to build more prisons (UE)?ĭynamics of Strategic ChoiceDesigning ModeFor each problem focus we: The decisions are then presented on a decision graph.īuild morePrisons?Improve prisonMedical careIncrease rewardsFor informing?Impose longerSentences? Perhaps the answer is longer prison sentences.ĭynamics of Strategic ChoiceShaping ModeDecision areas are described as questions areas where alternative courses of action are possible drug addiction, mental illness) yet when they come out these problems are unresolved and so they go straight back to crime. Many of those in prison are there for reasons connected with medical problems (e.g. We are spending more and more on locking up increasing numbers of people in prisons, yet crime goes on rising. ShapeDesignCompareChooseIssuesProblemFocusRange of StrategiesPreferencesAndUncertaintiesDecisionsProgressPackageĬrime is a real problem in this country. How do we respond to this choice?Uncertainty about guiding valuesUncertainty about our working environmentUncertainty about related agendasWe need clearer policiesWe need more informationWe need broader perspectivesUVUEUR Origins of the ApproachMore empirical than theoretical Describes some methods for dealing with complex decision problems Based on observations of how managers cope with dilemmas A mixture of practical and intuitive methods Recognises the importance of uncertainty, and responses to types of uncertainty. Problem Structuring MethodsPrimary focus is usually on the people involved with the problem Secondary focus will be on the problem itself This can change our view of what we mean by a successful intervention. This paper therefore aims to examine the case of Soft OR through examining the case for and against problem structuring methods.Strategic Choice ApproachAn Example of Soft Operational Research However, as evidenced from practice there are also a number of significant benefits. Whilst there is almost certainly a number of explanations for this, two key stumbling blocks are: (1) the subjective nature of the modelling yielding insights rather than testable results, and (2) the demand on users to both manage content (through modelling) and processes (work with rather than ‘on behalf’ of groups).
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This paper therefore aims to examine the case of Soft OR through examining the case for and against problem structuring methods.ĪB - Problem structuring methods (‘soft’ OR) have been around for approximately 40 years and yet these methods are still very much overlooked in the OR world.
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![soft operational research soft operational research](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/softor-170514125320/95/operational-research-10-638.jpg)
N2 - Problem structuring methods (‘soft’ OR) have been around for approximately 40 years and yet these methods are still very much overlooked in the OR world. T1 - Problem structuring methods ‘in the dock’