A Five-Step Approach for Better Environmental Decisions

JD Solomon
Aug 15
4 min read

A structured approach to decision making and communication is essential to navigate environmental decisions effectively. The Decision Quality Process and the FINESSE Fishbone Diagram are two essential steps.

All decisions require an allocation of resources. When it comes to environmental decisions, how we allocate time, money, and behaviors directly impacts the quality of life and those around us. Environmental decision making presents unique challenges due to its complexity, long timelines, and multiple stakeholders. A structured approach to decision making and communication is essential to navigate these challenges effectively.

Establishing Standards Complicates Environmental Decisions

Most organizations and individuals prioritize compliance with government-established standards. However, personal and corporate behavior often exceeds these minimums.

Politics plays a significant role in environmental decision making. Given the long timelines and inherent uncertainties, political processes influence regulations, corporate strategies, and social behavior. Understanding these influences is key to effective communication and action.

What Makes Environmental Decisions Different?

Environmental decision making differs from other types of decision making due to several key factors.

A. Complexity

Environmental issues involve multiple interconnected components, and their impacts may not be fully understood for decades.

B. Uncertainty

Many decisions involve chemical or ecological processes with limited real-world data.

C. Interconnectedness

Solutions that benefit one area (e.g., human health) may have unintended consequences elsewhere (e.g., biodiversity loss).

D. Detectability

Emerging pollutants or new measurement techniques can challenge existing regulations and decision-making frameworks.

E. Multiple Stakeholders

Decisions involve governments, businesses, scientists, and communities with diverse and often conflicting interests.

F. Time Horizon

Long-term effects make consensus difficult and increase uncertainty in projections.

G. Ethics

Different ethical frameworks influence decision making, from duty-based approaches to outcome-driven strategies.

H. Motives

Some stakeholders use environmental issues to advance political or economic goals beyond environmental protection.

I. Limited Resources

Funding constraints mean prioritization is necessary, requiring strategic allocation of resources.

A Five-Step Approach for Better Environmental Decisions

1. Establish a Decision Quality Process

Using a structured decision-making framework ensures clarity and effectiveness. One proven approach is Carl Spetzler’s Elements of Decision Quality, which includes:

Appropriate Frame – Defining the problem correctly
Creative, Doable Alternatives – Considering multiple solutions
Meaningful, Reliable Information – Gathering the best available data
Clear Values and Tradeoffs – Weighing competing priorities
Logically Correct Reasoning – Ensuring rational analysis
Commitment to Action – Ensuring decisions lead to implementation

Selecting a robust decision-making framework enhances transparency and consistency in complex environmental choices.

2. Use a Formal Communication Framework

Effective communication is essential for gaining stakeholder support and reducing conflict.

The FINESSE approach provides a structured method to communicate complex environmental decisions:

Facilitate – Encourage collaboration and participation
Illustrate – Use visuals and storytelling to clarify concepts
Noise Reduction – Simplify messages and remove distractions
Empathy – Acknowledge diverse perspectives and concerns
Structure – Organize communication for clarity and impact
Synergy – Align messages with broader goals
Ethics – Maintain honesty and integrity in messaging

Any communications approach should include a third-party review of the presentation before making it to decision makers. An after-action review should be included as well.

3. Seek Insights Beyond the Obvious Before Making Decisions

Media, politics, and personal biases often shape environmental issues. Decision makers should actively seek diverse perspectives and data sources to challenge assumptions and improve decision quality.

The tough questions will be asked at some point in the process.

Engaging in decision making at various levels, ranging from local planning boards, public comment opportunities, and industry associations, ensures diverse voices are heard and effectively influence policy.

4. Evaluate Past Decisions Before Making New Decisions

Reflection and after-action reviews help refine future decisions. Identifying what worked and what didn't strengthen environmental strategies over time. The Decision Quality Process and the FINESSE Fishbone Diagram provide a structured foundation for evaluating past decisions.

5. Repeat the Process at Every Stage

Remember, environmental decision making is a long game. Over time, people and their roles in the process change, as well as scientific and political influences. Don't shortcut the first four steps, especially the Decision Quality Process and the FINESSE Fishbone Diagram.

Applying 5 Steps for Better Environmental Decisions

Environmental decision making presents unique challenges due to its complexity, long timelines, and multiple stakeholders. A structured approach to decision making and communication is essential to navigate these challenges effectively. Decision quality frameworks and communication approaches like FINESSE Fishbone Diagram create a pathway for clearer, more actionable environmental solutions.

Portions of this article were published on Substack in the articles "Why Environmental Decision Making Is Difficult“(May 2023) and “What Are the Secrets for Communicating Big Environmental Decisions?” (February 2025).

See also "Effective Communication: How to Improve When Environmental Disasters Strike Our Communities." https://www.jdsolomonsolutions.com/post/effective-communication-how-to-improve-when-environmental-disasters-strike-our-communities (June 26, 2023).

JD Solomon Inc. provides solutions for program development, asset management, and facilitation at the nexus of facilities, infrastructure, and the environment. Visit our Environmental page for more information.