TRADE-OFF DECISION
Charles François (2004). TRADE-OFF DECISION, International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics, 2(2): 3598.
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(2) |
| ID | ◀ 3598 ▶ |
| Object type | Human sciences |
- “A compromise or exchange which decision makers must effect when all their objectives cannot be carried out at the same time” (J.van GIGCH, 1978, p.119).
The goal of trade-offs is optimization. However van GIGCH observes that there are false trade-offs, “those that promote ”sector improvements“ solely within one system or at one system level, while neglecting the trade-offs among different systems and systems levels and while overlooking the objectives of the total system. These false trade-offs are called suboptimization” (p.133).
Good trade-offs thus depend on a correct understanding of the interrelations between levels in systems or their relations with their environmental meta-system.