multicriteriabeslissingsanalyse

Multicriteriabeslissingsanalyse is a family of decision-aiding methods used to evaluate and compare alternatives when several criteria must be considered simultaneously. It aims to reveal trade-offs, integrate both quantitative data and qualitative judgments, and support decision-makers in choosing options that perform well across conflicting objectives. The term is closely related to multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA).

Common approaches include weighted sum models, analytic hierarchy process (AHP), ELECTRE, PROMETHEE, TOPSIS, and multi-attribute utility theory. These methods differ in data requirements, criteria representation, weight elicitation, and how performances are aggregated into a final ranking or set of recommended options.

Typical workflow: define the decision objective; list alternatives; identify and measure criteria; elicit weights or preferences; apply an MCDA method to compute scores or rankings; perform sensitivity analysis to explore robustness; present results and implications to stakeholders.

Applications span procurement and supplier selection, environmental planning, energy and transport projects, public policy, healthcare, product design, and risk assessment. MCDA helps compare options with diverse criteria such as cost, performance, safety, equity, environmental impact, and feasibility.

Strengths include structured reasoning, transparency, and the ability to combine qualitative judgements with quantitative data. Limitations involve subjective weightings, potential rank reversals, dependence on the chosen method, data quality, and computational complexity for large criterion sets.