Structured decision making - Essay Example

Structured Decision-making After undertaking this topic, I now view structured decision-making (SDM) as an easier and more efficient way to analyze goals, objectives and options of natural resource management that achieve the desired goals in the best way. It is very useful in dealing with environmental management hurdles. This is the main reason why it has been used over time by policy makers and managers overwhelmed by environmental, political, economic and social factors to maximize the success potential by overcoming such pitfalls.

One of the benefits of using the process according to Wilson and Arvai (2011) is that it encourages trust and openness in management and decision-making processes. Disagreements, if any, are made transparent, thus enabling the stakeholders to use new perspectives or knowledge for re-evaluation. The process also helps come up with decisions that are of higher quality, transparent, informed and respond to the values of stakeholders involved. It also evaluates and identifies alternative options for resource management through the engagement of experts, stakeholders and decision-makers in the process while addressing the uncertainty in management of resources in a transparent and proactive manner.

The scholars note that the results from associated technical, social and economic analyses that should predict the performance of a particular solution make more relevance when measured in regard to what makes the most sense according to the stakeholders. This makes it easier, over time, to make responses to changes within a system of management. This tool would be best used where there is difficulty in making a decision regarding a resource management, for instance improving water quality, the main end objective being the restoration of ecosystem health.

The decision makers involved would explore other objectives such as the traditionally scientific like the maintenance of environmental health and the value based like creating recreational opportunities before coming up with the ultimate decision (Wilson & Arvai, 2011). Other objectives would include restoration of vegetation and also provision of habitat for wildlife.ReferenceWilson, R. S., & Arvai, L. J. (2011). Structured Decision Making. Retrieved 19 February 2014 from http://seagrant.oregonstate.

edu/sgpubs/onlinepubs/h11001.pdf