A decision aiding system for improving the environmental standard setting process

This chapter focuses on the decision-aiding system for improving the environmental standard setting process. The system takes the regulator and his standard setting problem as a starting point. The system connects several decision theoretic tools and techniques in a decision theoretic model that allows the regulator to structure the standard setting problem to quantify uncertainties, intangibles, and values of the groups involved in standard setting and to identify an acceptable solution. The decision theoretic model is not a usual optimization model in the sense that some real world system is modeled and optimized. It is a cognitive roadmap along which the regulator and the experts can organize their thoughts, preferences, and information. The decision maker has to identify the decision unit for which he assumed the decision-making responsibility. The decision maker has to define the goals and objectives of this unit. The decision maker has to define the alternative courses of action by which these objectives can be achieved, the possible external events and actions that may influence his actions, and the information sources available to him.