Employers and school admissions officials must consider several factors when making choices among applicants, particularly when faced with a need to increase selection of minority group members. Should different standards be applied to different groups? Will acceptance of less qualified applicants from one group affect the overall quality of the work force or the student body? How much does the particular situation affect the degree of change in overall quality? How much of a drop in quality is acceptable? How does that drop in quality balance with the benefits to be obtained from increasing the employment or admission of minority group members? Such questions can be addressed by making a numerical estimate of the tradeoffs involved. The mathematical process for making such estimates can be used to test different policies for selecting employees or admitting students. The most beneficial policy can then be determined. This document describes the mathematical process and its application, and provides an example of the process in use. (PGD)