Formulating the Right Planning Problem

Abstract

As problem-solving activities, planning and public policymaking 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 problemformulation, thereby reducing the chances of such an error occurring. A number of problem formulation methods are described usingfictitious 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 problemformulation, and an overview of problem formulation methods.