Pm Team Reflection

TOP-DOWN AND BOTTOM-UP STRATEGIES

Angela Cannon, Juana Hunsberger, Armond Woods

PM/586

December 1, 2014

Donna Karch

TOP-DOWN AND BOTTOM-UP STRATEGIES

Top-down and bottom-up are both strategies used to process information and knowledge ordering, which is used in a variety of fields including software, humanistic and scientific theories, and management and organization. In practice, these strategies can be seen in use as a style of thinking and teaching. The top-down approach is essentially the breaking down of a system to gain insight into its compositional sub-systems. In a top-down approach an overview of the system is formulated, specifying but not detailing any first-level subsystems. Each subsystem is then refined in yet greater detail, sometimes in many additional subsystem levels, until the entire specification is reduced to base elements.

Top-down involves analyzing the "big picture". Investors using this approach look at the economy and try to forecast which industry will generate the best returns. These investors then look for individual companies within the chosen industry and add the stock to their portfolios.

The bottom-up approach simply seeks strong companies with good prospects, regardless of industry or macroeconomic factors.

 The Pros of Top Down

• funding agencies may require detailed plans implemented exactly as planned      

• you (or your funders) are in control

• cost-effective if successful

• Easy to evaluate: have plans been fulfilled?  

The Cons-

• your target groups may need something different

• difficult to engage partners & target group

• difficult to change even if it isn't working   

Bottom up Pros 

• Easier to engage partners, build up momentum

• possibility to use 'free' resources through networking

• Easier to engage target group

• Easier to adapt to different needs

• Natural' communication networks  

The Cons ...