Pro/Con Tables

What Is It Good For?

As this tool quickly shows the bottom line, it works especially well for briefings to decisionmakers or publics. If you have a go/no go decision, use a pro/con table to briefly demonstrate your rationale. Many of the analyses and discussions of proposed alternatives or options dance around a central question: will the pros outweigh the cons? The simplicity of the table is deceptive; it is one of the best ways to think through a difficult issue. A pro/con table can show both sides quickly so you can better see the entire picture. This is also a quick way to evaluate and select alternatives.

How Do I Use It?

Start by brainstorming by using this table or use the results from other analyses and techniques. Write down a pro or con and its analogous con or pro. For example, if lining a canal will reduce seepage (pro) then it may also reduce groundwater recharge from seepage (con).

For example, here is a simple pro/con table for recharging treated water:

To compare the pros and cons of more than one option, you can create a more complex table:

For decisions involving more than two choices, you can create a pro/con table with weights. MATS is a very effective way to do this in more detail.

 
1. List each factor that provides evidence for or against various alternatives.
2. Assign weights to each factor to reflect their relative importance.
3. Make a numerical rating of the extent to which the evidence about each factor favors (or argues against) each alternative.
4. Multiply the score each item gets on each factor by the weight assigned to that factor, then add up all the results to get an overall score for each alternative.

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