Illustration of a Methodology to Characterize Some Preference Uncertainties in Multicriteria Decision Analysis

Abstract

Abstract Any multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) method should make sense to its users and be practical in helping make decisions. Using selected civil and environmental engineering examples in life cycle sustainability assessment and in prioritizing environmental assessment and remediation, the presented methodology strives to meet this objective by emphasizing the importance of visualizing some of the preference uncertainties associated with choice and ranking decision analyses. The emphasis on visualization should compel stakeholders to discuss MCDA results and deliberate conclusions, which is a need in any MCDA practice. The methodology employs simple yet well-founded equations derived from partial-order theory for uncertainty visualization. These equations can be easily programmed using a spreadsheet software or used via a publicly available software highlighted in the article. In addition to its simplicity, the methodology avoids the requirement to quantify stakeholder preferences or to aggregate attribute scores in all situations. As shown through the examples, reasonable decisions can often be made by visualizing the information as it is.