Decision-Making: Phase, Stream and Rounds Models

• Complex decision-making analysis can be done through the phase model, the stream model, and the rounds model

Phase Model

• Focuses on defining a problem seraching implementing solutions through successive stages
• Concentrates on decisions by a primary actor
• Depicts decision making in terms of distinct stages like policy formation adoption and implementation
• Policy formation involves recognition diagnosis searching and evaluation
• Policy adoption involves taking decisions about the contents of a policy
• Implementation applies chosen means to optimize the decision maker's utility

Stream Model

• Emphasizes concurrent streams of participants problems solutions
• Defines decision making as the connection between these streams
• Focuses on the coincidental links between problems solutions and actors
• Depicts decision making as three concurrent streams: problems policies/solutions and politics/participants
• The streams exist side by side, and a decision becomes the coincidence of streams

Rounds Model

• Combines elements of the phase and stream models
• Assumes that actors introduce combinations of problems solutions and create progress through interaction
• Focuses on the interaction between actors
• Assumes decision making consists of different rounds
• Interaction between actors in all sets of rounds results in one or more definitions of problems and solutions

Conceptual Model Comparison

• Phase Model: Policy can be understood as a combination of interrelated processes determining government actions focusing on formulation adoption implementation, and evaluation of a policy
• Stream Model: Major policy changes are likely to occur only if the three streams - problems solutions and politics become linked especially if there is a favorable momentum or a 'policy window'
• Rounds Model: Policies do not originate from one actor's plan, but from decisions taken by actors

Reconstruction

• Requires a selective approach based on assumptions
• Observations conform to sets of assumptions
• Gathering and classifying observations is based on a priori images of decision making
• Models help us understand decision making in distinctive ways

Decision Making Complexity Acknowledgment

• Recognized by public administrationists due to increased uncertainty and the rise of the network society
• Requires researchers to address how to handle this complexity
• Is part of a broader discussion on governance in networks

Research Questions

• What assumptions are made regarding chains of activities in the decision making processes
• What assumptions are made regarding simultaneous activities in the decision making processes

Betuwe Railway Line Analysis

• Analyzed, using the three models
• Phase Model: the central government assumes responsibility, uses formal procedures, and faces congestion with other connections
• Stream Model: insights into solutions, problems, and support are interconnected
• Rounds Model: attention is paid to streams of decisions taken by several actors, like the Rotterdam Port Authority, the freight railway company NS Cargo, etc.