The Garbage Can Model

The Garbage Can Model is a way of understanding decision-making in organizations that are often unpredictable. It suggests that decisions are not made through a straightforward process but instead resemble a "garbage can" where problems, solutions, participants, and choices all come together randomly. Sometimes, solutions are available before problems are clearly defined, and decisions happen when the right mix of elements coincides. This model reflects the complexity and chaos in organizational decision-making, emphasizing that choices often result from chance interactions rather than deliberate planning.