Citation

Falkner CH. Am. Rev. Public Admin. 1971; 5(2): 91-104.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1971, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/027507407100500201

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Systems analysis means many things to many people. Here, systems analysis is interpreted as the systematic seeking out and evaluating of alternatives. Cost effectiveness is an approach for comparing relatively similar alternatives. The distinction between the two is one of scope and structure. Systems analysis is used to attack complex, ill-structured problems where many elements of the problem are non-quantifiable. In contrast, cost effectiveness is applied to the evaluation of alternatives where cost and other criteria are measurable.

Systems analysis and cost effectiveness are similar in that neither technique is designed to arrive at a decision itself. The primary objective is to present the decision-maker with relevant information concerning the effect of alternative courses of action. The decision-maker still makes the final judgment.