Some Comments on Conceptual Frameworks for Comparing Alternatives

Gene Fisher

ResearchPublished 1970

Notes used as a basis for informal talks on systems analysis, discussing ways of giving analytical support for long-range planning. The most important function is to provide information that will help decisionmakers compare alternatives. For most long-range planning problems, the specified effectiveness approach and the specified resource constraint approach are likely to be most useful. Theoretically, they are opposites; in practice, however, it is often difficult to formulate equal-effectiveness alternatives, whereas equal-cost alternatives can usually be established. Analysts should provide various quantitative measures of effectiveness, plus qualitative statements and judgments along with results of Delphi or other worth-assessment techniques. Unconstrained benefit/cost ratios are not recommended, since absolute amounts usually are important, and resources are limited.

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  • Year: 1970
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RAND Style Manual
Fisher, Gene, Some Comments on Conceptual Frameworks for Comparing Alternatives, RAND Corporation, P-4506, 1970. As of September 11, 2024: https://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P4506.html
Chicago Manual of Style
Fisher, Gene, Some Comments on Conceptual Frameworks for Comparing Alternatives. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1970. https://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P4506.html. Also available in print form.
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