MIXED SCANNING APPROACH

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PLANNING style Click to edit Master subtitle

INTRODUCTION

The mixed scanning model tries to involve the strengths of therational planning modeland theincremental planning modeland to eliminate the weaknesses. It is based on bounded instrumental rationality. Sociologist Amitai Etzioni found fault with both the rational-comprehensive model of decision making and the incremental model of decision making. His mixed scanning approach considers both fundamental and incremental decisions. Mixed scanning incorporates a broad-based analysis sometimes and an in-depth analysis at other times. It considers the differing capacities of decision makers. Etzionis approach is not very 4/27/12 specific about how mixed scanning could be used in practice.

The Rational Comprehensive Model

The rational comprehensive model is based on the reasoning of economists, mathematicians, and psychologists. It assumes that

the decision maker can identify the problem, the decision maker's goals, values, and objectives are clear and ranked in accord with their importance that alternative ways of addressing the problem are considered the cost and benefits or advantages and disadvantages of each alternative are investigated alternatives and their consequences can be compared with other alternatives the decision maker will choose the alternative that maximizes the attainment of his or her goals, values, and objectives. 4/27/12

The Rational Comprehensive Model

However,

problems are not always clearly defined; problems have to be formulated in a way which enables people to make decisions about them. Decision makers must have vast amounts of information in order to make use of the rational comprehensive decision-making technique. There needs to be an ability to predict the future consequences of decisions made. Also, problems confronting decision makers often embody conflicting values. In addition, it is tough to ignore the sunk costs of former decisions, these may foreclose many alternatives. Moreover, this model of decision-making assumes that there is one 4/27/12 (unitary) decision maker, when in fact a great many people,

The Incremental Theory

Attempts to correct deficiencies of the rational comprehensive model and to better describe how policy decision makers actually behave have resulted in incremental theory. Incremental theory holds that the selection of goals and objectives is intertwined with, not distinct from, the scientific analysis of the problem. Decision makers only consider alternatives for dealing with a problem that differs marginally (incrementally) from existing policies (suggesting that they do not completely remake policy every time they make a policy decision, but instead refashion existing policy). For each alternative, only important consequences are considered. Problems confronting the decision maker are continually redefined. Constant ends-means and, means-ends adjustments are made to better manage policy. 4/27/12 Seldom are there ever single decisions or totally correct solutions

A rationalistic approach to decision-making requires greater resources than decision-makers command. The incremental strategy, which takes into account the limited capacity of actors, fosters decisions which neglect basic societal innovations. Mixed-scanning reduces the unrealistic aspects of rationalism by limiting the details required in fundamental decisions and helps to overcome the conservative slant of incrementalism by exploring longer-run alternatives. (Incremental decisions tend to imply fundamental ones) The mixed scanning model makes this dualism explicit by combining (a) high-order, fundamental 4/27/12 policymaking processes which set basic directions

SHORT-COMINGS OF RATIONAL MODEL AND INCREMENTAL THEORY

MIXED SCANNING APPROACH

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Central assumptions

Many incremental decisions may lead to fundamental changes. The cumulative effect of those incremental decisions is influenced by fundamental decisions.

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Assumptions and role of the planner

The planner is considered to be a boundedrational being, reducing the complexity of the world to an easier model but to a lesser extent than the incremental planner. Overseeing the whole situation he or she has to consider few solutions in greater detail.

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Role of the population

The civil society is active in planning. Its needs and wants have to be established during a consensus-building process (strategic/functionalparticipation)

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Planning process

Planningis carried out more decentrally than in the rational planning process. Both the population and more agencies are involved in planning. Important features of the planning process are: Objectives are set under consultations with the civil society. Incremental decisions are made under consultation with the population while at the same time also few fundamental decisions are made which mark a huge departure from the existing situation. Thus, planning is considered as mixture of scientific technique, intuition and experience.
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THE MIXED SCANNING MODEL- AN ADAPTIVE STRATEGY

Mixed Scanning is guided by two questions: 1. What is the mission to be fulfilled? 2. What decisions move us towards our mission and policy? The features A broad goal, mission, or policy guides the decision process. Decisions are made incrementally, but with the broad goal in mind. Consequences are assessed in terms of the goal. Decisions are made with partial information. Then further small decisions are made if progress is good.

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PRINCIPLES OF MIXED SCANNING

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Use focused trial and error. Be tentative--proceed with caution. If uncertain, procrastinate. Stagger your decisions in stages. If uncertain, factionalize your decisions. Hedge your bets. Be prepared to reverse your decisions.

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Comparison of the Classical, Rational, Incremental, and Mixed-Scanning Models of Decision Making Rational Incremental Mixed Classical
Objectives are set prior to generating alternatives Decision making is a means-ends analysis: first, ends are determined, and then ALL the means to obtain them are sought. The test of a good decision is that it is shown to be the BEST means to achieve the end. Objectives are usually set prior to generating alternatives. Decision making is typically meansends analysis; however, occasionally ends change as a result of analysis. The test of a good decision is that it can be shown to result in a SATISFACTORY means to achieve the end; it falls within the established boundary conditions. (Satisfying) Engage in Setting objectives and generating alternatives are intertwined. Because means and ends are not separable, meansends analysis is inappropriate. The test of a good decision is that the decision makers can agree an alternative is the right direction when the existing course proves to be wrong. (Successive comparing) Drastically limit the search and analysis; focus on alternatives similar to the existing state. Many alternatives and important

Scanning
Broad policy guidelines are set prior to generating alternatives. Decision making is focused on broad ends and tentative means.

The test of a good decision is that it can be shown to result in a satisfactory decision that is consistent with the organizations policy. (Adaptive satisfying) Limit the search and analysis to alternatives close to the problem, but evaluate alternatives in terms of broad policy.

(Optimizing) Engage in comprehensive analysis; all

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REFERENCES

Mixed scanning a third approach to decision making Amitai Etzioni (Columbia University Press) Mixed scanning revisited Amitai Etzioni (George Washington University Press) Humble decision making Amitai Etzioni

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THANK YOU

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