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Title: COMPUTING MULTIPLE ATTRIBUTE VALUE FUNCTION RANGES UNDER A HIERARCHY OF THE ATTRIBUTES WITH APPLICATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL DECISION MAKING

Author
item Yakowitz, Diana
item WEDWICK, S. - UNIV. OF ARIZONA
item Weltz, Mark

Submitted to: Proceedings of Systems Man and Cybernetics
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: A software program and method is introduced that is particularly useful for examining environmental alternative management strategies from numerous decision making viewpoints or by multiple decision makers. The method quickly computes the possible range of value from the most optimistic to the most pessimistic (best to worst) for each alternative considered given any grouping or priority of the multiple attributes or criteria. The metho does not require one to specify or determine explicit weight factors on the attributes. The solution method makes it easy to determine the result of modifying priorities and is well suited to problems involving multiple stakeholders since several decision problem structures or priorities can be considered simultaneously. Current projects to develop indices of rangeland and soil health are discussed.

Technical Abstract: A decision tool is introduced that is particularly useful for examining environmental alternative management strategies from numerous decision making viewpoints or by multiple decision makers. Assuming an additive value function, the method quickly computes the possible range of value from the most optimistic to the most pessimistic (best to worst) for any hierarchical arrangement of the multiple attributes or criteria. The method, applied after commensurate attribute values or scores have been determined for each alternative, does not require one to specify or determine explicit weight factors on the attributes. The priority order of the attributes at any tier in the hierarchy can be changed and the value range computed again using the simple proposed iterative algorithm. This solution method makes it easy to determine the result of modifying priorities in portions of the hierarchical architecture without recalculating the contributions of unaffected branches. The method is well suited to problems involving multiple stakeholders since multiple decision problem structures or priorities can be considered simultaneously. Current projects to develop indices of rangeland and soil health are discussed.