Solving problems
The McGregor Model Forest Association has spent almost a decade working on how to make plans that can be evaluated on an ongoing basis and be adjusted for unseen situations or problems. Here is “The McGregor Approach”:
- Have people with as many different viewpoints as possible work on the problem. They'll think of different views and values to consider.
- Have a coach who can encourage everyone to work together as a team, reducing the chance for anyone to say, “My views are more important than yours.” As in sports, the coach is there to make sure the players work together towards a common goal.
- Use computers to keep track of how probable possibilities are, how they relate to each other and how they conflict. The referee has to try to get the people involved to quantify values so a computer can crunch them. That isn’t easy. Try assigning a numerical value to beauty or spirituality.
