TABLE OF CONTENTS As mentioned in the beginning of this book, analyzing cases not only tells us what went wrong, but what can be done about it. The case analyses give the opportunity to construct scenarios for the future. The stockbrokers' advice that "past performance does not necessarily predict future results" holds equally true for environmental predictions. However, the information from the analyses gives us an opportunity to assess possible outcomes given certain assumptions.
There are many methods for predicting the future. For example, you can read horoscopes, tea leaves, tarot cards, or crystal balls. Collectively, these methods are known as "nutty methods." Or you can put well-researched facts into sophisticated computer models, more commonly referred to as "a complete waste of time."
Scott Adams, U.S. cartoonist [1]
Any book with case studies calls for an assessment of the lessons learned, suggestions for improving things, and predictions of what will happen under various present and future scenarios. These considerations may be either...
