A Value-Focused Multiple Participant-Multiple Criteria (MPMC) Decision Support Approach for Public Policy Formulation

A decision support framework for policy formulation that incorporates a value-focused, multiple participant-multiple criteria (MPMC) approach is presented to address the systemic over-reliance of financial assessments as the primary decision support model. The proposed approach provides a robust decision support framework for aiding complex public decision-making processes involving conflicting multiple decision-makers (as participants) and values. Participant values are used to determine viable options which in turn determine feasible policy recommendations. Values also determine participant preferences. Through the application of the Graph Model of Conflict Resolution, policy-makers can generate viable and stable policy recommendations. In contrast to focusing solely on alternatives, this framework ensures that policy-makers review scenarios that align with organizational values and objectives, thereby producing informed policy decisions. Further, the framework is applied within a case study involving the City of Toronto, Canada, where policy recommendations to privatize curbside waste collection services were being considered. The framework incorporates multiple participant perspectives and their associated criteria, in lieu of traditional financial assessments (e.g., cost–benefit analysis). This study further demonstrates the usefulness and practicality of incorporating a value-focused, MPMC approach for the derivation of good public policy.