Integrated and Coordinated Decision Process

At least seven equally important factors (represented by the arrows) affect and inform decisions, and each can pass through five analytical steps (1-5) to integrate information for a decision.

Using a decision analysis approach enables decision-makers and stakeholders to incorporate systems thinking in the evaluation of very complex options with uncertain data and information.  This brings stakeholders and decision-makers together in an integrated process.  Decision-makers and stakeholders operate collaboratively to:
1. Develop a common understanding of the entire system including the scientific knowledge, technological limitations, political or legal situation, and the social or institutional settings
2. Develop common, measureable objectives focusing on public values and what they want the system to be able to do over the long-term
3. Define possible management options, or set of actions, they may take to meet the objectives
4. Evaluate and compare options to determine the social, economic, and ecologic consequences of each option
5. Take action, either to select an option (with monitoring and adaptation over time) or to collect additional information