Assignment # 2 (Article - 1)

Article Reference:

Jon C. Liebman, August 1976, Some Simple Minded Observations on the Role of Optimization in Public Systems Decision Making, Interfaces

Summary:

The paper refers to optimization techniques used in decision making of public systems. Author tries to compare between the decision tools and the encountering problems in public and private sector decision making.

Optimization and modeling is used to resolve few of the public sector problems (Ex. Increasing and improving the effectiveness of urban firefighting organizations) while few of the public sector problems are not solved using this approach (Ex. River basin water quality management) as the final outcome is still questionable. Earlier variety of problems were dealt using linear programming and operations research as the objective of the problem was simple, and clear cut. But over the year’s complexity of the problems have increased along with the techniques used for solving the optimization problems. With the wide range of approaches, we are able to model a problem in more than one way. Large scale private sector problem is considered to be subtle and within reach where as public sector problems have encountered some difference, therefore they are characterized as "wicked".

The vital problem of wickedness in public sector problems is due to the difference in fundamental public goal by different individuals in the decision making system. Optimization tools which were designed for the non wicked problems should not have been used to solve the wicked problems. In one hand, solution for non wicked problems can be optimized once we are clear with the goal, boundaries, alternatives and constraints of the system on the other hand wicked problem has set of alternatives, no specific boundary, conflicting goals. Optimization and modeling of wicked problems can be used to formulate the alternatives rather than selecting one of the alternatives thereby demanding qualitative approach by the analyst.

The paper summaries few ideas about how the methodology is changed and how the optimization techniques can be best fit for the decision making process. Author focuses on the limitation of optimization technique of not being able to solve a problem if the conflicts associated with it or not resolved. It would be able to give a set of feasible alternatives for the problem which needs to be explored.

Discussion:

Paper is interesting as it gives an idea to the reader of what are the different problems in public and private sector and how they can be or cannot be solved using Optimization and modeling techniques. It gives an insight of the major problems which are encountered solving both public and private sector problems.

Author should have mentioned more about the practical application of the modeling techniques by taking up a case study of a wicked problem which was solved or which can be solved using the optimization technique. The paper would be more interesting if more quantitative explanation of the facts were illustrated.

If this were my research, as mentioned earlier I would concentrate on quantifying both the public and private sector problems and associated concerns of each problems. My research would be dealing majorly on what would be the feasible practical solution for solving a wicked problem considering all the alternative and measuring the effectiveness of the same.