Methods Applied To The Move Disaster-

1. The Root Method assumes intellectual capacities and sources of information that we do not possess. This method also assumes unlimited time and money resources. It ranks all the relevant values in order to choose the best policy to pursue, then formulates any possible alternatives to achieve the goal. The best alternatives that will maximize the ranked list of values. Values and alternatives are weighed for importance and all are taken into account by the decision maker.

The disadvantages of the root method are it requires unlimited time and money. It also assumes that all agree on values. Many groups involved and are in constant disagreement about the importance of program objectives. Therefore they cannot be ranked. Values depend on personal perspectives. This method also assumes that ends and means are distinct in policy choices. In reality they are confused. The choice of an action ultimately depends on the compromise acceptable to all parties rather then maximizing the intended values.

The advantages of the root method are that all possibilities have been logically selected and weighed in relative importance.

With the Branch Method an objective is established, which usually becomes compromised and mixed with other goals, and only a few incremental steps believed necessary from experience are considered. Usually the most immediate and most suitable compromise that satisfies all concerned with the program will be implemented.

The advantages of the Branch method are it is incremental, avoids serious lasting mistakes, and is easy to adjust in case of bad decisions. It fits with the American political system which works with gradual changes. Simplification is systematically achieved by the limitation of policy comparisons which reduces the alternatives to be considered. It is only necessary to investigate the aspects that differ from the status quo rather than a fundamental inquiry. The disadvantages of this method are the full range of choices can’t be considered. Suffices rather than maximizes.

2. The case is an example of the branch method. Although there was plenty of time to weigh values and alternatives, in the end a hasty decision based on limited choices was followed.

For 16 months after he was elected, the problem in the neighborhood persisted and even grew worse, yet the mayor avoided dealing with the problem. Yet in less than a week he tried to