Evaluating proposed solutions

Objective: Explain decision criterion and alternative, distinguish their meanings, and apply them to a described case.

Decision criterion: A criterion is an explicit standard used to compare alternatives. Alternative: An alternative is a distinct possible action, including a baseline when appropriate. Decision analysis begins with a defined problem and criteria, then compares genuinely different alternatives. A baseline clarifies what would happen without the proposed action. Some benefits and burdens are difficult to monetize and should remain visible rather than silently omitted. Stakeholders may weigh criteria differently. Implementation monitoring checks whether the chosen action meets its goals and detects transferred burdens or other unintended effects that require revision. Application: A community compares options using water quality and affordability. This most directly illustrates decision criterion. A study compares repair, replacement, and no-change options. This most directly illustrates alternative.

Objective: Explain cost-benefit comparison and trade-off, distinguish their meanings, and apply them to a described case.

Cost-benefit comparison: A cost-benefit comparison evaluates relevant gains and losses while recognizing hard-to-price effects. Trade-off: A trade-off occurs when improving one outcome reduces another valued outcome. Decision analysis begins with a defined problem and criteria, then compares genuinely different alternatives. A baseline clarifies what would happen without the proposed action. Some benefits and burdens are difficult to monetize and should remain visible rather than silently omitted. Stakeholders may weigh criteria differently. Implementation monitoring checks whether the chosen action meets its goals and detects transferred burdens or other unintended effects that require revision. Application: An analysis includes operating costs and ecosystem effects. This most directly illustrates cost-benefit comparison. A design lowers energy use but increases initial cost. This most directly illustrates trade-off.

Objective: Explain stakeholder and implementation monitoring, distinguish their meanings, and apply them to a described case.

Stakeholder: A stakeholder is a person or group affected by or involved in a decision. Implementation monitoring: Monitoring checks whether the chosen action achieves intended outcomes and reveals unexpected effects. Decision analysis begins with a defined problem and criteria, then compares genuinely different alternatives. A baseline clarifies what would happen without the proposed action. Some benefits and burdens are difficult to monetize and should remain visible rather than silently omitted. Stakeholders may weigh criteria differently. Implementation monitoring checks whether the chosen action meets its goals and detects transferred burdens or other unintended effects that require revision. Application: Downstream residents and upstream farmers participate in planning. This most directly illustrates stakeholder. A project measures water quality after its intervention. This most directly illustrates implementation monitoring.