A conceptual model for describing decision-making situations in integratednatural resource planning and modeling projects

A conceptual model is developed herein for the purpose of stimulating discu ssions within groups planning and carrying out integrated natural resource projects. We first de-scribe lour basic components of integrated planning a nd modeling efforts: people, databases, technology, and organizational comm itment. Second, we provide one view of the relationship between the size of the project's decision-making body and the timing of decisions during a pr oject's life cycle. Finally, these two discussions are combined into a conc eptual model describing the dynamic nature of decision-making within integr ated projects. The abstractions and generalizations described here are not unique to private industry or governmental organizations and should provide the basis for a discussion of decision-making issues among interdisciplina ry professionals embarking on large-scale or complex modeling efforts.