Overview of Methods Implemented in MCA: Multiple Criteria Analysis of Discrete Alternatives with a Simple Preference Specification

Many methods have been developed for multiple criteria analysis and/or ranking of discrete alternatives. Most of them require complex specification of preferences. Therefore, they are not applicable for problems with numerous alternatives and/or criteria, where preference specification by the decisin makers can hardly be done in a way acceptable for small problems, e.g., for pair-wise comparisons.

In this paper we describe several new methods implemented for a real-life application dealing with multi-criteria analysis of future energy technologies. This analysis involves large numbers of both alternatives and criteria. Moreover, the analysis was made by a large number of stakeholders without expeience in analytical methods. Therefore a simple method for interactive preference specification was condition for the analysis. The paper provides overview of several of new methods based on diverse concepts developed for multicriteria analysis, and summarizes a comparison of methods and experence of using them.

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