Skip to main content

Five Latest MCDM Techniques to solve Decision Making Problems




In recent years the use of Multi-Criteria Decision Making(MCDM) Techniques has increased rapidly in every discipline to solve decision-making problems by an objective procedure. The MCDM techniques are rapidly used and modified for optimal problem solving and to reduce the convergence time.

What is the MCDM concept?

Many brief tutorials on the MCDM concept are available on the internet. You can visit my introduction to the MCDM video also for a short and simple explanation about the MCDMs and their need in today's research.

However, this post is not about the concepts or basic working principles, or the strengths and weaknesses of the concept. This post is about the most recent MCDM techniques which are now widely used for solving decision support problems in nearly all disciplines.

Generally, by MCDM, we understand the techniques invented by Saaty and known as Analytical Hierarchy Process(AHP). This compensatory method of MCDM is popularly utilized for approaching decision problems in an objective framework where even if the decision-maker changes, the decision will not change. Besides AHP, the name of Weighted Sum or Product Methods or outranking techniques like ELECTRE or PROMETHEE is also rarely applied for real-life problem solving which required a decision.

But presently there are multiple proposers of new or modified methods of MCDM techniques other than AHP, WSM, WPM, etc. Among the latest techniques, the five most recent and widely popular processes are depicted below :

1)Benefits Prioritization Analysis


Short form: BPA

"A software selection tool developed to aid the users in selecting the software appropriate for their needs based on preferences. Implemented as a simple spreadsheet using MS Excel. Processes the information about stakeholder preferences using "stakeholder weight" (the importance of opinion for different stakeholder types that differ by their extent of using the software, and level in the organisation) instead of criteria weights."

This method is new and proposed by Chen et.al. in the year 2020. The paper can be found at the reference as given below :

Reference : Chen Z, Agapiou A and Li H (2020) A Benefits Prioritization Analysis on Adopting BIM Systems Against Major Challenges in Megaproject Delivery. Front. Built Environ. 6:26. doi: 10.3389/fbuil.2020.00026

2)Plithogenic HyperSoft Set


Short Form: PHSS

"Plithogenic logic is a new mathematical approach representing the generalization of the four existing approaches for dealing with sets of different accuracy levels: Crisp, Fuzzy, Intuitionistic fuzzy, and Neutrosophic. Used in MCDA operations as a universal preference aggregation approach. Offers supreme flexibility for dealing with data at highly varying levels of accuracy."

This method is new and proposed by Ahmad et.al. in the year 2019. The paper can be found at the reference as given below :

Ahmad, M.R.; Saeed, M.; Afzal, U.; Yang, M.-S. A Novel MCDM Method Based on Plithogenic Hypersoft Sets under Fuzzy Neutrosophic Environment. Symmetry 2020, 12, 1855.

3) Evaluation based on Distance from Average Solution 

Short Form: EDAS

In the EDAS method, the best alternative is chosen by calculating the distance of each alternative from the optimal value.

This method is new and proposed by Sudha in the year 2019. The paper can be found at the reference as given below :

A. S. Sudha, “Application of EDAS method on Water Requirement in Agriculture”, International Journal of Engineering and Technology, vol. 8, pp. 558-561, 2019. 

4) Combinative Distance-Based Assessment 


Short Form: CODAS

Combinative Distance-based Assessment or CODAS method in which desirability of alternatives is
determined using two measures. The primary measure is the Euclidean distance and the second measure is the Taxicab distance.

This method is new and proposed by Badi et.al. in the year 2018. The paper can be found at the reference as given below :

I. Badi, M. Ballem and A. Shetwan, “Site selection of Desalination plant in Libya by using Combinative Distance-Based Assessment (CODAS) method”, International Journal for Quality Research, vol. 12, pp. 609-624, 2018.


5) Method Based on the Removal Effects of Criteria 

Short Form : MEREC

"This study introduces a new method, called MEREC (MEthod based on the Removal Effects of Criteria), to determine criteria’ objective weights. This method uses a novel idea for weighting criteria. After systematically introducing the method, we present some computational analyses to confirm the efficiency of the MEREC"

This method is new and proposed by Keshavarz-Ghorabaee et.al. in the year 2021. The paper can be found at the reference as given below :

Keshavarz-Ghorabaee, Mehdi, Maghsoud Amiri, Edmundas K. Zavadskas, Zenonas Turskis, and Jurgita Antucheviciene. 2021. "Determination of Objective Weights Using a New Method Based on the Removal Effects of Criteria (MEREC)" Symmetry 13, no. 4: 525.
 https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13040525.

MCDM dispenses a foundation for selecting, sorting, and prioritizing materials and helps in the overall assessment. The use of MCDM is particularly important when: The application is complex or advanced. Although Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods have been applied in numerous case studies with satisfactory results, one of the limitations of such methods is that the decision-maker prefers to decide intuitively. But not all the decision-makers will have the same selection and thus even if the same procedure is followed, the result can come different. That is why, novel MCDMs are being introduced to the World, but until the problem of subjectivity can be avoided this appearance of new methods will be continued but unproductive.

Signing off @Mrinmoy

More such techniques in Data Science in Sustainability or
Subscribe to my blog or
Publish your book/article with EIS Publishers


..................................
Promoted Products: "Ashwagandha and Other Products for Enhancing Immunity".. Nutrilite(Use 13238584 as ABO ID)
Procure Hydrology Themed T-Shirts from Innovate S

Popular posts from this blog

Seven Most Tenable Application of Artificial Intelligence on Water Resource Management Problems

AI or Artificial Intelligence is a pioneering technique that has enabled the creation of intelligent machines. or smart machines which have the power to self adapt based on the situation presented to them. It requires situations whose response is known and based on this training data set it learns the problems which it has to solve when it is ready. Due to the alarming success with AI in robotics, electronics, etc fields the same technique is now used to solve the problems of water resource management. This ppt shows the seven most notable use of AI in water resources-based problems where satisfactory improvement has encouraged the further application of the technique. View the Presentation Dr.Mrinmoy Majumder, My ResearchGate Id : Mrinmoy_Majumder Home Page: http://www.mrinmoymajumder.com   Author of: Lecture Notes on MCDM Indian Link  ; Global Link :

Eight most common impurities observed in water supplied to domestic households

The water supplied to domestic households has many types of contaminants which have the potential to create health irregularities in the consumer family. Among these contaminants, eight most common impurities were identified, and the type of filter which can remove or reduce them was delineated in the figure. Before procuring a water filter remember to see this chart. It will help to understand the impurities that the selected water filter can remove. Any water filters available in the market are generally made of one or more of these filters. To decide wisely use the concepts of MCDM to select your filters. Compare the filters available in the market with respect to Cost, Contaminant Removal Efficiency, Maintenance requirement, and type of filters used and rate each filter based on these factors with the help of AHP or ANP techniques. The result will be the filter that will be most efficient for your use. You can also use the ODM tool to come to a decision regarding the procurement o

Five Most Innovative Rain Water Harvesting Projects

Rainwater harvesting is known to be one of the most prominent solutions to the impending vulnerability of many watersheds all over the world due to climate change impacts. The rejuvenation of the watersheds with the help of innovative rainwater harvesting can prevent further deterioration of the basins. Below are the five most intelligent water harvesting methods adopted by the stakeholders to restore their watersheds which ensured their sustainability. Mega muddy rainwater harvesting System/project "Harvested water is used for fish farming, banana plantation, Sericulture, Floriculture and for other purposes." Story of Dhun "the first step for his dream project was to bring water to this dry land and using traditional water harvesting practices the land today has more than 8 waterbodies in it..." Rain Water Harvesting in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda "There is hardly a place in the world where it never rains. Rainwater belongs to everyone. And the methods to coll