American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which planning process aims for a decision-making strategy that balances various competing goals?

1. Conflict Resolution

2. Strategic Planning

3. Collaborative Planning

4. Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis

The correct answer is: Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis

The process that aims for a decision-making strategy that balances various competing goals is Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). This approach is specifically designed to evaluate multiple conflicting criteria in decision-making scenarios. MCDA provides a systematic framework for assessing various options against a set of established criteria, allowing planners to objectify the decision-making process. It involves quantifying the importance of different goals and analyzing how well each potential decision meets these goals. By combining qualitative and quantitative factors, MCDA helps planners to visualize the trade-offs between competing objectives, ensuring a balanced outcome that reflects the interests of multiple stakeholders. Other processes mentioned, while related, do not specifically focus on balancing competing goals in the same structured manner. For instance, conflict resolution often seeks to eliminate or mediate disagreements rather than systematically weigh options against multiple goals. Strategic planning sets long-term objectives but doesn't inherently provide a framework for balancing diverse criteria. Collaborative planning emphasizes stakeholder engagement and consensus-building but may not employ a rigorous analytical approach to assess competing goals as MCDA does.