Heuristics—the relational approach

A review of the literature on heuristics would suggest two approaches to their use in problem solving: mathematical and engineering. It is suggested however that there is a third approach for real world application, which the authors have called relational. Instead of investigating a problem through the medium of mathematical models and then deriving heuristics because direct optimising techniques are not available, it is advocated that a close relationship between problem owner and problem solver can be achieved by setting down together the decision rules that the owner employs. In this way, a heuristic model is developed directly, with the opportunity to introduce additional procedures as the situation allows. The result is a consistent control mechanism which is invaluable for both strategic and operational decision making. The model can be a predictor of the effects of policy decisions as well as a means by which those decisions can be implemented and monitored, dependent as much upon the balancing of sometimes conflicting objectives by management as upon the setting of bounds to achieve a guaranteed performance.