Citation

George RV. J. Plann. Lit. 1994; 8(3): 240-259.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/088541229400800302

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

As problem-solving activities, planning and public policy-making are susceptible to the Type III error: solving the wrong problem. Drawing on a diverse literature, this article describes methods-tools and procedures-that encourage deliberate problem formulation, thereby reducing the chances of such an error occurring. A number of problem formulation methods are described using fictitious accounts of their application in a planning situation. To put them in context, these descriptions are preceded by a discussion of the occurrence of the Type III error in planning and responses to it, a brief review of the state of knowledge about problem formulation, and an overview of problem formulation methods.