AltOption

AltOption is a framework and set of tools designed to facilitate structured comparison among alternative options in decision-making processes. It presents a standardized approach to describing options, articulating criteria, and assessing uncertainties to support transparent, repeatable judgments across business, policy, and research settings.

Origins and development: The AltOption concept emerged in 2019 through collaboration among researchers and practitioners seeking to unify how options are described and evaluated. A reference implementation appeared in 2020, with subsequent revisions expanding criteria modeling, uncertainty analysis, and collaborative review features.

Key features: AltOption provides an option catalog for storing descriptions and metadata, a criteria framework with weighting and scoring, and support for uncertainty and sensitivity analysis. It includes scenario planning, audit trails and versioning, interoperability via standardized data formats and APIs, and optional privacy controls. The design emphasizes traceability of assumptions and rationales throughout the evaluation process.

Applications: The framework is used in strategic planning, product portfolio management, policy evaluation, and research design. Organizations employ AltOption to systematically compare alternatives, document rationales, and communicate decisions to stakeholders, while enabling collaborative refinement of assessments and criteria.

Reception and governance: AltOption has been discussed in decision-analysis literature as a tool to reduce bias and improve decision traceability. Some critiques note that effective use requires high-quality data, disciplined processes, and careful attention to model specification, as well as a willingness to invest in training and process governance.