How to improve strategic decision-making in complex systems when only qualitative information is available

This paper continues a line of research on improving strategic decisions (SD). The nature of governance issues (complex and uncertain world, lack of information, consideration of qualitative and quantitative information, participation of different actors in the decision making processes, etc.) implies that there is no unique solution or strategy in a complex system. On the contrary, there are a range of alternative strategies, which could lead to different futures (scenarios). Working with the qualitative methodology proposed allows decision makers and social actors to be more aware of the directions their decisions could lead the system; and what the key variables are for the implementation of public policies to achieve the desired (or agreed) scenario. An integrated methodology is discussed, and the process of desertification in the Canary Islands is used to illustrate it.