View source for Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)

[[Category:MCDM methods]]

The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) developed by Saaty (1977, 1980) is a robust and flexible multi-criteria decision analysis technique based on the prior articulation of preferences by the decision maker. It allows to analyze multi-criteria decision problems with both qualitative and quantitative aspects. 

The AHP can be summarized as a four-step procedure:

*1. Setting up a decision hierarchy by decomposing the decision problem into a hierarchy of interrelated elements. Each level must be linked to the next-higher level and adjacent elements within one level must not be too disparate.
*2. Generating input data consisting of comparative judgement by pairwise comparisons of decision elements.
*3. Synthesizing the judgments and estimate the relative weights by using the "eigenvalue" method to generate a derived ratio scale that reflects the local priorities of the elements in the hierarchy.
*4. Determination of the aggregate relative weights of the decision elements to arrive at a set of rating for the decision alternatives.


Further references:
*[http://www.ijahp.org/index.php/IJAHP/index ''International Journal of the Analytic Hierarchy Process''] An online journal about MCDM applications using the AHP