Let a hundred flowers bloom: The policy/variety dilemma

A candid view is offered of the dilemmas faced by a consultant or researcher whose career depends on a record of achievement in competing for successive project grants from government agencies or independent research sponsors, and then in delivering conclusions that will address the expectations of the sponsoring parties. The main focus is on projects that address the persistent challenge of reconciling central policy influence with the encouragement of local variety – as was once advocated by Chairman Mao in China's ‘Hundred Flowers’ campaign. The discussion concludes with some pointers as to what OR can add to the contributions of other policy support professions. Particular reference is made to the use of graphical representations of political complexity to complement conventional textual forms of argumentation.