The IIASA Energy-Multi Criteria Analysis Tool (ENE-MCA)

Researchers at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), building on work carried out within the framework of the Global Energy Assessment (GEA), have developed an interactive web-based scenario analysis tool that permits the concurrent assessment of synergies and trade-offs between multiple energy objectives at the global scale. This software, known as the IIASA Energy-Multi Criteria Analysis Policy Tool (ENE-MCA), is designed to assist national policy makers in their strategic policy planning processes. The tool extends work undertaken for the GEA and, as such, is built on the extensive set of global energy and environmental scenarios that have been generated as part of the GEA process. This document serves as an introduction to the ENE-MCA tool and as a brief manual for the typical user

Overview of Methods Implemented in MCA: Multiple Criteria Analysis of Discrete Alternatives with a Simple Preference Specification

Many methods have been developed for multiple criteria analysis and/or ranking of discrete alternatives. Most of them require complex specification of preferences. Therefore, they are not applicable for problems with numerous alternatives and/or criteria, where preference specification by the decisin makers can hardly be done in a way acceptable for small problems, e.g., for pair-wise comparisons. In this paper we describe several new methods implemented for a real-life application dealing with multi-criteria analysis of future energy technologies. This analysis involves large numbers of both alternatives and criteria. Moreover, the analysis was made by a large number of stakeholders without expeience in analytical methods. Therefore a simple method for interactive preference specification was condition for the analysis. The paper provides overview of several of new methods based on diverse concepts developed for multicriteria analysis, and summarizes a comparison of methods and experence of using them

Multiple Criteria Analysis of Discrete Alternatives with a Simple Preference Specification: Pairwise-outperformance based Approaches

Many methods have been developed for multiple criteria analysis and/or ranking of discrete alternatives. Most of them require complex specification of preferences. Therefore, they are not applicable for problems with numerous alternatives and/or criteria, where preference specification by the decision makers can hardly be done in a way acceptable for small problems, e.g., for pair-wise comparisons. In this paper we describe several new methods implemented for a real-life application dealing with muti-criteria analysis of future energy technologies. This analysis involves large numbers of both altrnatives and criteria. Moreover, the analysis was made by a large number of stakeholders without expeience in analytical methods. Therefore, a simple method for interactive preference specification was a condition for the analysis. The paper presents a number of new methods based on the developed out performance aggregations that take into account inter-alternative factors. Finally, a comparison of methods and experience of using them is discussed

The Efficacy of Utility Functions for Multicriteria Hospital Case-Mix Planning

A new approach to perform hospital case-mix planning (CMP) is introduced in this article. Our multi-criteria approach utilises utility functions (UF) to articulate the preferences and standpoint of independent decision makers regarding outputs. The primary aim of this article is to test whether a utility functions method (UFM) based upon the scalarization of aforesaid UF is an appropriate quantitative technique to, i) distribute hospital resources to different operating units, and ii) provide a better capacity allocation and case mix. Our approach is motivated by the need to provide a method able to evaluate the trade-off between different stakeholders and objectives of hospitals. To the best of our knowledge, no such approach has been considered before in the literature. As we will later show, this idea addresses various technical limitations, weaknesses, and flaws in current CMP. The efficacy of the aforesaid approach is tested on a case study of a large tertiary hospital. Currently UF are not used by hospital managers, and real functions are unavailable, hence, 14 rational options are tested. Our exploratory analysis has provided important guidelines for the application of these UF. It indicates that these UF provide a valuable starting point for planners, managers, and executives of hospitals to impose their goals and aspirations. In conclusion, our approach may be better at identifying case mix that users want to treat and seems more capable of modelling the varying importance of different levels of output. Apart from finding desirable case mixes to consider, the approach can provide important insights via a sensitivity analysis of the parameters of each UF.Comment: 35 pages, 6 tables, 29 figure

User Guide to MCA: Multiple Criteria Analysis of Discrete Alternatives with a Simple Preference Specification

This report provides detailed information about using the MCA, which is the Web-based application formultiple criteria analysis of discrete alternatives with a simple preference specification. MCA in its currently available version supports analysis of a set of discrete alternatves, defined either interactively or through a prepared file. Each alternative is characterized by several attributes (indicators) that serve for specification of criteria. MCA has been designed for problems having large numbers of alternatives and of criteria. However, it can also be used for problems with small numbers of criteria and/or alternatives. The report is composed of two main parts. The first one provides an overview of the MCA and summarize the methodology of multiple criteria analysis implemented in the MCA. The second part consists of the step-by-step detailed tutorial to the MCA organized into three stages corresponding to (1) basic funtions of the MCA, (2) specification of problems, instances, and analyses, and (3) interactive multiciteria analysis process

Multicriteria Methodology for the NEEDS Project

This report begins with an overview of multicriteria analysis methods, and the basic principles of developing mathematical models for such analysis. An overview of various representation of user prefereces is then presented, including methods based on pairwise comparisons of criteria and those based on scalarizing functions. This is followed by a summary of structures of criteria and alternatives. Next, basic properties of multi-criteria analysis are discussed, followed by a more detailed presentation of the similarities of and differences between the main methods based on scalarizing function. This report concludes that existing methods do not best meet the needs of the NEEDS project, presents the reasons, and proposes a new methodology for development. Depending upon the development and testing of this new methodology, an existing method will also be chosen as a backup for comparative or alternate use

Management of attainable tradeoffs between conflicting goals

Rational decision-making requires governance of attainable trade-offs between conflicting goals, uncertainties and risks, which in turn demands both novel modeling methods and appropriate modeling technology. The paper deals with recent developments in applied modeling that have been motivated by the requirements for model-based support of solving complex problems. It starts with presenting novel modeling technology and integrated methods of integrated model analysis aimed at supporting decisionmakers in diversified ways of analysis of the underlying decision problem. Then, multicriteria analysis is discussed in more detail with a focus on an extension of the reference point optimization, which supports an effective analysis of trade-offs between conflicting criteria aiming at analysis of attainable goals. Next, new approaches to coping with endogenous uncertainty and catastrophic risks are characterized, followed by a summary of issues related to transparency and public understanding