Value-Focused Thinking: A Path to Creative Decisionmaking

Once you feel the list of objectives is reasonably complete, it is important to specify clearly what each objective includes.

The general principle of thinking about values is to discover the reasoning for each objective and how it relates to other objectives.

The general principle used to suggest alternatives here is relevant to almost all decisions. You begin with the fundamental objectives that indicate what you really care about in the problem.

This example illustrates two general principles that are helpful in creating alternatives. Specifying the meaning of the fundamental objective, in this case by dividing the reduction of vehicle fatalities into categories, can suggest alternatives.

3.5 Desirable Properties of Fundamental Objectives

Similarly, identifying the means contributing to the achievement of any aspect of the fundamental objective can also indicate potential alternatives.

There are two ways to create decision opportunities.

Constraint-Free Thinking

In appraising any alternative, you should consider the implications for other objectives in addition to safety.