The standard way of thinking about decisions is backwards, says Ralph Keeney: people focus first on identifying alternatives rather than on articulating values. A problem arises and people react, placing the emphasis on mechanics and fixed choices instead of on the objectives that give decisionmaking its meaning. In this book, Keeney shows how recognizing and articulating fundamental values can lead to the identification of decision opportunities and the creation of better alternatives. The intent is to be proactive and to select more attractive decisions to ponder before attempting any solutions.

Keeney describes specific procedures for articulating values by identifying and structuring objectives qualitatively, and he shows how to apply these procedures in various cases. He then explains how to quantify objectives using simple models of values. Such value analysis, Keeney demonstrates, can yield a full range of alternatives, thus converting decision problems into opportunities. This approach can be used to uncover hidden objectives, to direct the collection of information, to improve communication, to facilitate collective decisionmaking, and to guide strategic thinking. To illustrate these uses, Keeney shows how value-focused thinking works in many business contexts, such as designing an integrated circuit tester and managing a multibillion-dollar utility company; in government contexts, such as planning future NASA space missions and deciding how to transport nuclear waste to storage sites; and in personal contexts, such as choosing career moves and making wise health and safety decisions.

An incisive, applicable contribution to the art and science of decisionmaking, Value-Focused Thinking will be extremely useful to anyone from consultants and managers to systems analysts and students.

About the Author

Ralph L. Keeney is a private consultant in San Francisco, as well as Professor of Systems Management, Institute of Safety and Systems Management, University of Southern California. He is coauthor (with Howard Raiffa) of Decisions with Multiple Objectives, which was awarded the Lanchester Prize of the Operations Research Society of America.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

Specializing in monographs and texts in Mathematics, Computer Science, Science, Engineering, Social Sciences, Psychology. Photography and Science Fiction.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Association Member

Members of these associations are committed to maintaining the highest standards. They vouch for the authenticity of all items offered for sale. They provide expert and detailed descriptions, disclose all significant defects and/or restorations, provide clear and accurate pricing, and operate with fairness and honesty during the purchase experience.

Seller's business information

George Cross Books
MA, U.S.A.

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

George Cross Books guarantees the condition of every book as it is described. If
you are dissatisfied for any reason, return your purchase within 7 days of receipt
for a full refund of the purchase price. We'll also refund shipping costs if the
return was a result of our error. Please send us an email before making a return.
Contact details: George Cross, 6 3rd St, Lexington MA 02420, USA. Email:
georgecrossbooks@gmail.com. Phone number: 877-822-8763. Fax Number: 877-822-
8763.

Shipping Terms

Orders usually ship within 2 business days. Free shipping applies to Media Mail in the United States and FPO/APO/AE/AP zip codes where Media Mail is permitted. Please note that Media Mail to Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico may take 3-5 weeks, and Priority mail is encouraged for these locales expecially for textbooks. Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.