MIXED SCANNING

APPROACH
PLANNING THEORIES AND TECHNIQUES ASSIGNMENT

BY
SUNITHA ASHOK MENON
MURP 1ST SEM
 INTRODUCTION
 The mixed scanning model tries to involve the strengths of
the rational planning model and the incremental planning
model and to eliminate the weaknesses.
 It is based on ‘bounded’ instrumental rationality.
 Sociologist Amitai Etzioni found fault with both the rational-
comprehensive model of decision making and the incremental
model of decision making. His mixed scanning approach considers
both fundamental and incremental decisions.
 Mixed scanning incorporates a broad-based analysis sometimes
and an in-depth analysis at other times. It considers the differing
capacities of decision makers. Etzioni’s approach is not very
specific about how mixed scanning could be used in practice.
The Rational Comprehensive Model
The rational comprehensive model is based on the reasoning of economists,
mathematicians, and psychologists.
It assumes that
 the decision maker can identify the problem,
 the decision maker's goals, values, and objectives are clear and ranked in accord
with their importance
 that alternative ways of addressing the problem are considered
 the cost and benefits or advantages and disadvantages of each alternative are
investigated
 alternatives and their consequences can be compared with other alternatives
 the decision maker will choose the alternative that maximizes the attainment of his
or her goals, values, and objectives.
The Rational Comprehensive Model
However,
 problems are not always clearly defined; problems have to be formulated in a way
which enables people to make decisions about them.
 Decision makers must have vast amounts of information in order to make use of the
rational comprehensive decision-making technique.
 There needs to be an ability to predict the future consequences of decisions made.
 Also, problems confronting decision makers often embody conflicting values.
 In addition, it is tough to ignore the sunk costs of former decisions, these may
foreclose many alternatives.
 Moreover, this model of decision-making assumes that there is one (unitary) decision
maker, when in fact a great many people, interests and institutions are usually
involved.
The Incremental Theory
Attempts to correct deficiencies of the rational comprehensive model and to better describe
how policy decision makers actually behave have resulted in incremental theory.
Incremental theory holds that the selection of goals and objectives is intertwined with, not
distinct from, the scientific analysis of the problem.
Decision makers only consider alternatives for dealing with a problem that differs
marginally (incrementally) from existing policies (suggesting that they do not completely
remake policy every time they make a policy decision, but instead refashion existing
policy).
For each alternative, only important consequences are considered.
Problems confronting the decision maker are continually redefined.
Constant ends-means and, means-ends adjustments are made to better manage policy.
Seldom are there ever single decisions or totally correct solutions available to resolve a
problem.
A good decision is one that policy makers can agree on, not one that may be most
appropriate for an agreed objective.
Incremental decision-making is remedial, not holistically-devised or future-oriented. Rarely
are decisions faced in all or nothing terms.
 SHORT-COMINGS OF RATIONAL
MODEL AND INCREMENTAL THEORY
•A rationalistic approach to decision-making requires greater resources than decision-
makers command.
•The incremental strategy, which takes into account the limited capacity of actors, fosters
decisions which neglect basic societal innovations.
•Mixed-scanning reduces the unrealistic aspects of rationalism by limiting the details
required in fundamental decisions and helps to overcome the conservative slant of
incrementalism by exploring longer-run alternatives. (Incremental decisions tend to imply
fundamental ones)
• The mixed scanning model makes this dualism explicit by combining (a) high-order,
fundamental policymaking processes which set basic directions and (b) incremental ones
which prepare for fundamental decisions and work them out after they have been
reached.
• Mixed-scanning has two further advantages over incrementalism: It provides a strategy
for evaluation and it does not include hidden structural assumptions. The flexibility of the
different scanning levels makes mixed-scanning a useful strategy for decision-making in
environments of varying stability and by actors with varying control and consensus-
building capacities.
MIXED SCANNING APPROACH
Central assumptions

 Many incremental decisions may lead to fundamental changes.

 The cumulative effect of those incremental decisions is influenced by fundamental
decisions.
Assumptions and role of the planner

 The planner is considered to be a ‘bounded’ rational being, reducing the

complexity of the world to an easier model but to a lesser extent than the
incremental planner.
 Overseeing the whole situation he or she has to consider few solutions in
greater detail.
Role of the population

 The civil society is active in planning. Its needs and wants have to be
established during a consensus-building process
(strategic/functional participation)
Planning process

 Planning is carried out more decentrally than in the rational planning

process. Both the population and more agencies are involved in planning.
Important features of the planning process are:
1. Objectives are set under consultations with the civil society.
2. Incremental decisions are made under consultation with the population
while at the same time also few fundamental decisions are made which
mark a huge departure from the existing situation.
3. Thus, planning is considered as mixture of scientific technique, intuition and
experience.
THE MIXED SCANNING MODEL- AN ADAPTIVE
STRATEGY

Mixed Scanning is guided by two questions:

1. What is the mission to be fulfilled?
2. What decisions move us towards our mission and policy?

The features
• A broad goal, mission, or policy guides the decision process.
• Decisions are made incrementally, but with the broad goal in mind.
• Consequences are assessed in terms of the goal.
• Decisions are made with partial information.
• Then further small decisions are made if progress is good.
 PRINCIPLES OF MIXED SCANNING

1. Use focused trial and error.

2. Be tentative--proceed with caution.
3. If uncertain, procrastinate.
4. Stagger your decisions in stages.
5. If uncertain, factionalize your decisions.
6. Hedge your bets.
7. Be prepared to reverse your decisions.
 Comparison of the Classical, Rational, Incremental,
and Mixed-Scanning Models of Decision Making
Classical Rational
Objectives are set Objectives are usually
prior to generating set prior to
alternatives generating alternatives.
Decision making is Decision making is
a means-ends typically means-ends
analysis: first, ends analysis; however,
are determined, and occasionally ends change
then ALL the means to as a result of analysis.
obtain them are sought.
The test of a good The test of a good decision
decision is that it is is that it can be shown to
shown to be the BEST result in a SATISFACTORY
means to achieve the means to achieve the end;
end. it falls within the
established boundary
conditions.
(Optimizing) (Satisfying)
Engage in comprehensive Engage in “problematic
analysis; all alternatives search” until a set of
and all consequences reasonable alternatives
are considered. is identified.
Heavy reliance on theory. Reliance on both theory and
experience.
Incremental
Setting objectives and
generating alternatives
are intertwined.
Because means and
ends are not
separable, means-
ends analysis is
inappropriate.
The test of a good decision
is that the decision
makers can agree an
alternative is the “right”
direction when the
existing course proves to
be wrong.
(Successive comparing)
Drastically limit the search
and analysis; focus on
alternatives similar to the
existing state. Many
alternatives and important
outcomes are ignored.
Successive comparisons reduce
or eliminate the need for theory.
Mixed Scanning
Broad policy guidelines
are set prior to
generating alternatives.
Decision making is
focused on broad ends
and tentative means.
The test of a good decision
is that it can be shown to
result in a satisfactory
decision that is consistent
with the organization’s
policy.
(Adaptive satisfying)
Limit the search and analysis to
alternatives close to the problem,
but evaluate alternatives in
terms of broad policy. More
comprehensive than
incrementalism.
Theory, experience, and successive
Comparisons used together.
REFERENCES
 Mixed scanning a “third” approach to decision making – Amitai Etzioni
(Columbia University Press)
 Mixed scanning revisited – Amitai Etzioni (George Washington University
Press)
 Humble decision making – Amitai Etzioni
THANK YOU