Pertinence tree

A foresight technique that identifies paths to a goal. Its structure is hierarchical, which means that the ramifications of choices are mutually exclusive. Once a choice is made there is no turning back and its composition is predetermined. Each branch includes components that are considered pertinent to a certain problem by a group of specialists. It is useful in planning future events and identifying opportunities, aids in the development of educational programs and facilitates alternative choices. It provides a traceable dissection of a problem and complements the use of other foresight techniques. In developing a pertinence tree, the following aspects must be considered: 1) There must not be relationships among the same level nodes. 2) There must not be direct relationships between the nodes of two levels that are not successive; 3) The levels must flow from the top down, 4) the concrete choice of the goals, objectives, and actions can not be carried out until a system analysis is made of two different and complementary approaches.