Multicriterion Decision in Practice

Abstract

The previous chapter was about software for multicriterion decision; in fact we could almost have called it multicriterion choice, for the vast majority of this software carries out aggregation, and hence choice, at the expense of other types of support which, as we have stated several times, ought to embrace the whole process of decision making. This overall support is probably more typical of multicriterion DSS (Decision Support System) than of multicriterion analysis programs. Leaving aside now questions of theory and software, in this chapter we deal with problems and advantages of multicriterion decision in actual practice. We begin by recalling the salient features and advantages of multicriterion modeling; we shall also be examining the various phases and individuals involved in practical multicriterion decision. We go on to discuss modeling, aggregation and finally fields of application.