A Goals-Achievement Matrix for Evaluating Alternative Plans

This paper examines the efficacy of some established techniques of plan evaluation by cost-benefit analysis. This particularly includes the applications to water resources development and the “balance sheet of development” as applied to urban planning. It is demonstrated that these techniques do not fully satisfy the requirements of the rational planning process. An alternative method of plan evaluation, known as the goals-achievement matrix, is postulated and is considered in terms of the requirements of the rational planning process.