Analysis of problem structuring methods to improve decisions in environmental planning

This paper discusses the importance of information and knowledge of the stakeholders´ expectations in the environmental planning process to improve the making of decisions. When decisions do not include all required information and/or do not properly analyze the interrelationship between them, the consequences can be disastrous. This paper presents how the Problem Structuring Method (PSM) can help in a better understanding of the problem by considering the exploration of views of the members involved, highlighting some methods, and discussing how their use can contribute to satisfactory decisions in environmental planning.