Representing decisions - the case of the supermarket site

Here is the text of the notes I prepared for the two sessions:

Your task over these two sessions is to try to represent the choice of where to build a new supermarket for Brentwood.  You will work in  groups of about five students.

Firstly, we are going to use the computer to help define the choices and to explain the factors which affect the decision using a computer program called “Making Choices”.

Secondly (in the second session), we are going to make a short video, using the computer to explain the choice and your viewpoint.

First session

“Making Choices” works as a framework for you to pin down your ideas about a decision.  In this case, a good first step is to decide what the choices are.

The choices need to be in some sense co;mparable for this exercise, that is, they should all be potential geographical sites for building a supermarket.  A choice “don’t build” of course exists, but is only useful in the program if it can be compared to a choice like “Mountnessing” on the basis of the factors affecting the choice.

The factors can be varied: “environmental impact”, “cost”, “convenience” all seem likely.  Whats important for this program is that you can sort the choices into order based on the factors.

You also need to decide whose viewpoint you are taking, by deciding who you are going to play the role of: the council, the supermarket company, the residents of Brentwood, the Council for the Preservation of Rural England, Friends of the Earth, the local business community etc..  This will allow you to sort the factors into order, to giv÷e more weight to “cost” rather than “convenience” for example.

Finally the computer will take account of all your factors and viewpoint and sort the choices to show you an analysis of the whole decision.  At this point you can consider whether the analysis represents your viewpoint well, and if not perhaps return to alter factors, alter the viewpoint or add in more information.

At each point in the program you can add descriptive text which helps explain the choices, factors and viewpoint.  This needs careful thought, but is perhaps the most important.  Defining what you mean as a group is critical to understanding.

Second Session

You need to meet as a group and prepare for the second session a brief introduction to which interested party you are role-playing and a brief commentary on your viewpoint card and the analysis card.  You will make a short video (about 30 seconds) using the computer and video camera.  Don’t panic - we will be there to help you of course.