Option8

Option8 is a hypothetical open-source software framework designed for decision analysis, optimization, and scenario planning. It emphasizes modularity, reproducibility, and extensibility. The core idea is to provide a unified environment for modeling problems that combine quantitative objectives with qualitative preferences. It supports multi-criteria decision analysis, Monte Carlo risk assessment, and decision-tree exploration, and it includes a domain-specific language for declaring problems.

Features include a modular plug-in architecture, a Python API, a web-based user interface, and data import/export in CSV, JSON, and YAML, along with interoperability with common data science tools. It allows users to define decision problems declaratively, run simulations, perform optimization (linear, integer, and generic non-linear through plugins), and visualize results with charts and dashboards.

Architecture is built with a layered design including a core engine, plugin API, persistence layer, and UI. The plugin system enables extensions for additional solvers, visualization, and data connectors. It is designed to be cross-platform, running on major operating systems with dependencies managed by common package managers.

History and usage in this hypothetical scenario describe Option8 emerging in academic demonstrations around 2023 and gaining traction in teaching and small organizations for exploring portfolios, policy analysis, and strategic planning. It is intended to be used as a teaching tool as well as a lightweight production system.

Reception among reviewers highlights transparency and reproducibility due to explicit problem definitions and versioned configurations, while noting a learning curve for users new to MCDA and plugin development.

See also: Multi-criteria decision analysis, Decision analysis, Open-source software.