Goals-delphis for urban planning: Concepts in their design

Some of the major psychological forces operating in the Delphi process, particularly the influence of group pressure, are discussed, and the implications of these in terms of alternative internal designs are described.

Abstract

An algorithm for the use of the Delphi technique in developing goal hierarchies for urban systems planning is outlined. Some of the major psychological forces operating in the Delphi process, particularly the influence of group pressure, are discussed, and the implications of these in terms of alternative internal designs are described. Goals-Delphis may be considered to involve value judgments, and as such are subject to certain restrictions. They have organizational implications beyond the deliberate goal setting effort, and may be adapted for use as change agents through administrative experiments. The possibility of the use of Delphi for improving the efficiency of multidisciplinary research teams is explored.