Methods to inform the development of concise objectives hierarchies in multi-criteria decision analysis

Mika Marttunen, Fridolin Haag, Valerie Belton, Jyri Mustajoki, Judit Leinert

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Citations (Scopus)
49 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Building a well-structured objectives hierarchy is central to multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). However, in the absence of a systematic methodology to support the process, this task has been described as “more art than science”. Objectives hierarchies often tend to become large and constraining the size of a hierarchy can be challenging. This paper proposes and illustrates the use of a set of methods to support the simplification of the hierarchies in contexts that are “datarich” and characterised by many objectives. The aim of using the proposed approach is to support decision analysts in developing an appropriately concise decision model for the further interactions with the stakeholders. Using data from two completed environmental cases we show retrospectively how qualitative (means-ends networks), semiquantitative (relevancyanalysis) and quantitative (correlation analysis, principal component analysis, local sensitivity analysis of weights) methods, used alone or in combination, can inform hierarchy development. We evaluate the potential benefits and challenges of each method and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the simplification of an objectives hierarchy. Questionnaire-based relevancy analysis can be a useful method to identify and communicate important objectives in the early phases of an MCDA process with stakeholders, while correlation analysis can help to identify overlapping objectives, particularly in cases having many objectives and alternatives. It is intended that the methods support a facilitator in developing a clear understanding of the problem and also prompt deeper thinking about and discussion of the appropriate structure and content of an objectives hierarchy with the stakeholders involved.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)604-620
Number of pages16
JournalEuropean Journal of Operational Research
Volume277
Issue number2
Early online date27 Feb 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2019

Keywords

  • multiple criteria decision analysis
  • building objectives hierarchies
  • OR in environment

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