Tools for Decision Making: A Practical Guide for Local Government

This is a useful little book that is designed to provide tools for decision making at the local government level. The Preface describes the focus of the book as "a guide to practical techniques of analysis for local government." The author, David Ammons, is a realist. He recognizes that politics can trump analysis, so that event use of these tools will not prevent politics from determining decisions. For instance, at the close of the book, he notes that "Local government decision makers must contend with multiple and often conflicting objectives." There is a nice table at the outset of the book, showing different analytical techniques available for local decision making. Throughout the book, a series of these are discussed in readable language. Among these? Demand analysis, PERT, performance standards, figuring interest rates and yields, cost-effectiveness analysis, analyzing survey data, benchmarking, and so on. All in all, a rather straightforward handbook. Much of the discussion is at only an introductory level, but that is not inappropriate given the book's purpose. On the other hand some of the discussion may be slow going for local officials. Bottom line: a useful little book.