Wertaspekte

Wertaspekte is a German-language term used in discussions of value assessment to denote the different dimensions that contribute to the overall value of a decision, action, or object. The word combines Wert (value) with Aspekte (aspects) and is not tied to a single, formal theory; rather, it serves as a label for organizing consideration of what counts as valuable in a given context.

In practice, Wertaspekte encompass multiple dimensions such as economic value (monetary costs and benefits), social value (impacts on well-being, equity, social cohesion), environmental value (ecological effects and sustainability), and strategic or operational value (alignment with goals, resilience, risk management). Some frameworks also include ethical or cultural value, health implications, user experience, or innovation potential. The exact set of aspects is often context-dependent and may be adjusted to reflect stakeholder priorities.

In decision analysis, Wertaspekte are treated as criteria or attributes in methods like multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) or cost-benefit analysis. Stakeholders assign weights and scores to each aspect to derive an overall assessment or ranking. This approach aims to make value judgments more transparent and to incorporate diverse perspectives into evaluation.

Limitations include subjectivity in weighting, potential difficulties in comparing different value types, and context dependence. Critics note that quantification can oversimplify moral or qualitative considerations. Proponents argue that a structured set of Wertaspekte facilitates comprehensive evaluation and accountability in policy, project, and business decisions.

See also: Wert, Nutzen, Nachhaltigkeit, Multi-Kriterien-Entscheidungsanalyse.