Rural System's

Modern Wild Faunal Resource System Management
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C.D. Buffington's Information System Design Notes for Decision Making

Buffington, C. D. 1972. An analysis of the decision-making systems within the National Wildlife Refuge System. Unpub. Ph.D. dissertation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va. x + 167 pp.

All relevant decisions made within the faunal systems are those directed toward achieving system objectives. All of these objectives can be classified as primarily directed toward a major system function (vis-a-vis general systems theory) of input, output - objective, process, feedforward, and feedback. Similarly, a decision can be classified as to how it fits into the systems framework of stated system objectives.

Input(1) - The decision provides inputs to the total system.

Output - Objective (2) - A decision that identifies a desired output or establishes an objective.

Process (3) - The decision is the process by which a stated objective is sought or reached.

Feedback (4) - The decision will provide feedback for the system in evaluating, controlling, or improving system performance or actions.

Feedforward (5) - The decision will adjust and adapt the present system for the predicted future.

II. Objective

The decision has or will affect single or multiple objectives of the system:

Single Objective (1)

Multiple Objective (2)

III. Frequency

The frequency with which a particular decision is made:

Frequent (1) - Three or more times/year

Infrequent (2) - Less than three times/year

Once (3) - The only time this decision has been made

IV. Structure

Unstructured (1) - A unique decision, no previous experience, has a creative component, may use standard decision techniques but no identical decision is foreseen or has been made.

Structured (2) - More programmed than the unstructured, the operating procedures are more orderly.

Highly-Structured (3) - A decision of a repetitive nature, may have been made a number of times previously, solved with standard operating procedures

V. Occurrence

Regular Interval (1) - The interval of occurrence of this decision is predictable and at regular intervals.

Irregular Interval (2) - The interval is not predictable, or if this is the only (first) time this decision appears, then the interval is irregular.

VI. Initial Influence

The domain of initial influence. (This does not include magnitude of influence or consequence of the decision having been made):

Physical-Biological (1)

Political-Socio-Economic (2)

Both of the above (3)

VII. Long-term Influence

The domain of long-term influence. (This does not include magnitude of influence or consequence of the decision having been made:

Physical-Biological (1)

Political-Socio-Economic (2)

Both of the above (3)

VIII. Magnitude of Impact

Effects over a reasonable number of years; an index of importance:

Large (1) - May have a significant effect on the effective management of the system.

Small (2) - Negligible effect on the system.

IX. Location

Where in the administrative structure of the system the decision is made:

Central Office or Above (1)

Regional Office (2)

Supervisor (3)

Local Manager (4)

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Last revision January 18, 2004.