American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What does the term "satisficing" mean?

1. A term meaning that an applicant is satisfied with the approval of his project

2. Accepting policy options short of maximizing goal attainment

3. Accepting policy options short of attaining 100% consensus

4. Both B and C

The correct answer is: Both B and C

The term "satisficing" originates from a combination of "satisfy" and "suffice" and refers to the decision-making process whereby individuals or groups select the first acceptable option rather than the optimal one. This approach is often adopted in complex situations where maximizing all goals is infeasible due to time constraints or the limits of available information. In this context, the concept of satisficing pertains to accepting policy options that might not achieve the highest possible outcome but are seen as good enough to meet certain criteria or satisfy stakeholder needs. Therefore, accepting policy options short of maximizing goal attainment aligns with the core idea of satisficing, as it suggests a pragmatic approach to decision-making that prioritizes practicality over perfection. Additionally, the notion of accepting policy options short of attaining 100% consensus is relevant as well. Reaching complete agreement among all stakeholders can be a lengthy and complicated process. Satisficing recognizes the reality of such challenges and suggests that reaching a workable agreement, even if it doesn't meet everyone's approval, is often a more practical and timely solution. Thus, the correct response highlights that both aspects (B and C) reflect the essence of satisficing in the context of planning and policy-making.