Prioritization of water resources projects from the perspective of multicriteria decision aid models: a systematic review

Abstract

This study presents the analysis of the scientific literature on the application of multicriteria decision aid models in the prioritization of water resources projects through a systematic review. Methodologically, the research is characterized as descriptive diagnosis. For the systematic review, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol was followed. Regarding data analysis, after surveying a bibliographic portfolio, a bibliometry was carried out with the aid of VOSviewer and UCINET 6 software, in addition to NetDraw software; subsequently, a metasynthesis was performed. As main results, the following aspects were observed: (i) lack of scientific production on the investigated topic (23 articles); (ii) recurring application of multicriteria decision aid methods in prioritizing water resource projects; (iii) emphasis on the government and sanitation companies with sectors of greatest interest in water resources projects; (iv) lack of information about the actors involved in the prioritization of projects and the techniques that support the decision consensus; and (v) in addition to the economic concern, the importance that has been given to social and environmental dimensions. The practical contribution of this study consists in the knowledge generated for companies and institutions that intend to prioritize water resource projects, as this study presents the methodologies, techniques, dimensions, and criteria that have been scientifically considered in the prioritization of projects in the water resources sector. The theoretical contribution consists in the presentation of a current overview of the topic under study, in such a way to allow the identification of gaps and indicating areas under development for future research.