Planners, Uncertainties and Methodologies
- 1 July 1987
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Public Policy and Administration
- Vol. 2 (3) , 23-34
- https://doi.org/10.1177/095207678700200303
Abstract
A problem which confronts those involved with planning in all settings is the choice of a methodology to guide the planning process so that it may be effective. There have been numerous attempts to identify those factors in planning situations which influence the style of the planning process and the behavior of planners. The resulting contingency theory is essentially descriptive and recently efforts have been made to build upon this foundation and provide a prescriptive contingency theory of planning. This work is extended here by providing a contingency framework which associates relevant distinctions in planning situations with significantly different levels of uncertainty in the mind of a planner. The framework is able to act as both a descriptive and a prescriptive tool for the analysis of planning situations and the determination of appropriate planning methodologies. An example is given to illustrate its use in each of these modes.Keywords
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