The sequential nature of activities like research, development, or exploration requires optimal funding criteria to take account of the fact that subsequent funding decisions will be made throughout the future. Thus, there is a continual possibility of reviewing a project's status, based on the latest information. After setting up a model to capture this feature, optimal funding criteria are investigated. In an important special case, an explicit formula is derived. As well as throwing light upon the nature of development activities, the analysis is also relevant to the general theory of information gathering processes.

[This article focuses on the desirability of quantity controls in an economy when the first best optimum is not attainable. Based on the analysis of constrained consumer demand, a formula for the desirability of small personalized compensated quotas is first established. Conclusions for the desirability of anonymous quotas: redistribution in kind, rationing, are derived. Actions on prices through taxes and quantity controls are compared. The analysis is also shown to have implications for the theory of optimum income taxation.]