MCDMmenetelmiä

MCDMmenetelmiä refers to methods used in Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM). MCDM is a sub-discipline of operations research that attempts to address decision problems where multiple, often conflicting, criteria must be considered. These methods provide structured approaches to help decision-makers identify, evaluate, and choose the best alternative from a set of options when faced with various objectives.

Common MCDM methods include Weighted Sum Model (WSM), Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Analytic Network Process (ANP), Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), Elimination and Choice Expressing Reality (ELECTRE), and Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations (PROMETHEE). Each method has its own way of structuring the decision problem, assigning weights to criteria, and ranking alternatives. For example, AHP breaks down a complex decision into a hierarchy of criteria and sub-criteria, using pairwise comparisons to derive weights. TOPSIS, on the other hand, ranks alternatives based on their distance from an ideal best solution and an ideal worst solution.

The choice of MCDM method depends on the specific characteristics of the decision problem, the decision-maker's preferences, and the nature of the data available. MCDM methods are widely applied in various fields such as engineering, environmental management, finance, healthcare, and public policy to support complex decision-making processes. They aim to improve the transparency and rationality of decisions by systematically incorporating multiple factors into the evaluation process.