Using Sensitivity Analysis to select discrete Multiple Criteria Decision Making methods for management and engineering

A new approach to select a Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method for a problem is investigated. The new approach is based on an analysis of MCDM problems and methods. That research revealed some factors to be addressed when selecting a MCDM method, including problem characteristics and MCDM method characteristics. Mathematical approaches are applied to candidate methods to select the method that will provide a robust output.

The new approach will recommend the most suitable MCDM method from a subset of candidate methods based on the stability of their outcomes. Once performance measures and criteria weights are identified then sensitivity analysis and other mathematical approaches are applied to the output of the subset of candidate methods to define the most critical criteria and the most critical performance measures. A MCDM method is automatically recommended that provides robust outcome with a compromise between the minimum percentage change required in the most critical criteria and the most critical performance measures to alter the outcome.

Problem characteristics considered in the approach address the nature of alternative sets, type of input set, the nature of the information being considered, the type of decision problem being addressed and the type of preference mode being considered. Method characteristics address the type of ordering of alternatives, measurement scale type of preference structure, software availability and ease of use. By addressing these factors, this approach can provide decision makers with a suggested group of candidate MCDM methods that are appropriate for their MCDM problem. Sensitivity analysis and mathematical approaches are then applied to the suggested group of candidate methods to automatically select a MCDM method that delivers a robust outcome. This is achieved by calculating the minimum percentage change in criteria weights and performance measures required to alter the outcome of a method.
Finally a set of new propositions and hypotheses are created based on potential generalized problems. These are tested on a number of numerical examples. Results show that they are accurate in describing the behavior of different MCDM methods, predicting their outcome and recommending a method that provides a robust outcome. The new approach is successfully applied to human resource management decisions, strategic marketing decisions and corporate relocations decisions. The Preference Ranking Organization METHod for Enrichment of Evaluations II (PROMETHEE II) method was applied to suggest a steering direction for powered wheelchairs.

A new approach to select a MCDM method was created.

The research revealed some factors to be addressed when selecting a MCDM method, including problem characteristics and MCDM method characteristics.

Mathematical approaches were applied to candidate methods to select the method that will provide a robust output.

The new approach recommends the most suitable MCDM method from a subset of candidate methods based on the stability of their outcomes.

A MCDM method is automatically recommended that provides robust outcome with a compromise between the minimum percentage change required in the most critical criteria and the most critical performance measures to alter the outcome.

The approach provides decision makers with a suggested group of candidate MCDM methods that are appropriate for their MCDM problem.

Sensitivity analysis and mathematical approaches were applied to suggested groups of candidate methods to automatically select a MCDM method that delivers a robust outcome.

Minimum percentage change in criteria weights and performance measures required to alter the outcome of a method were calculated.

A set of new propositions and hypotheses are created based on potential generalized problems.

The new approach was successfully applied to human resource management decisions, strategic marketing decisions and corporate relocations decisions.

The Preference Ranking Organization METHod for Enrichment of Evaluations II (PROMETHEE II) method was applied to suggest a steering direction for powered wheelchairs.