In this study the planning process is applied to a conflict resolution problem by structuring a well known conflict (the Northern Ireland problem) using the levels of a conceptual hierarchy. The parties to the conflict form the first level, the objectives of these parties form the second level, and possible political solutions to the problem are at the third and final level. This present model is an update of an earlier analysis, carried out in 1976 and 1977, in which it was shown that the outcome which would to the greatest possible extent satisfy the aspirations of all parties would be legislative independence for Northern Ireland. The current analysis takes into account changes which have taken place since the earlier work was performed.
It is shown that the most satisfactory outcome is still one of legislative independence.
However, the results suggest a short-term compromise solution.
An assembly, subordinate to the British government, would also satisfy most of the basic needs of the parties, provided that such an Assembly is given a wide range of powers and a large measure of autonomy. The method used here, the Analytic Hierarchy Technique (Saaty, 1977(Saaty, , 1980)), is easy to understand and to use, and provides an efficient method for evaluating possible solutions to a conflict.