enkriteriebeslutninger

Enkriteriebeslutninger refer to decision-making processes that rely on a single evaluative criterion to choose among alternatives. In such approaches, each option is scored on only one dimension—such as cost, duration, quality, or risk—and the option with the most favorable value is selected. The simplest form is a threshold rule: accept if the criterion value meets or exceeds a predefined threshold; otherwise reject. In some settings, the rule may be to maximize the score on that criterion or to minimize a negative cost.

Because the decision is based on one criterion, enkriteriebeslutninger are typically fast, transparent, and easy to communicate. They are useful in initial screening, triage, or when only one dimension is truly decision-relevant or when information on other factors is unreliable or unavailable.

However, these decisions have significant limitations. They ignore trade-offs between relevant factors and can lead to suboptimal outcomes if the chosen criterion is incomplete, biased, or noisy. They also risk overreliance on a single measure, neglecting other important aspects of the problem.

Enkriteriebeslutninger stand in contrast to multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), which explicitly incorporates several dimensions and trade-offs. In practice, a single-criterion approach can serve as a preliminary filter within broader decision processes, or be used when the decision problem is genuinely dominated by one primary concern.

Common applications include procurement with a dominant cost criterion, hiring or screening based on a primary test score, and operational settings where speed is essential.