A Systems Engineering Methodology for Wide Area Network Selection using an Analytical Hierarchy Process

Abstract

In this paper, we apply a systems engineering methodology to select the most appropriate wide area network (WAN) media suite, according to organizational technical requirements, using an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). AHP is a mathematical decision modeling tool that utilizes decomposition, determination, and synthesis to solve complex engineering decision problems. AHP can deal with the universal modeling of process engineering decision-making, which is difficult to describe quantitatively, by integrating quantitative and qualitative analysis. We formulate and apply AHP to a hypothetical case study in order to examine its feasibility for the WAN media selection problem. The results indicate that our model can improve the decision-making process by evaluating and comparing all alternative WANs. This shows that AHP can support and assist an organization in choosing the most effective solution according to its demands. AHP is an effective resource-saver from many perspectives—it gives high performance, economic, and high quality solutions. Keywords: Analytical Hierarchy Process, Wide Area Network, AHP Consistency, WAN alternatives