Introduction

Abstract

Clearly it is important to begin a book devoted to the topic of multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) with a discussion and definition of what we mean by the term. One dictionary definition of ``criterion'' (The Chambers Dictionary) is ``a means or standard of judging''. In the decision-making context, this would imply some sort of standard by which one particular choice or course of action could be judged to be more desirable than another. Consideration of different choices or courses of action becomes a multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) problem when there exist a number of such standards which conflict to a substantial extent. For example, even in simple personal choices such as selecting a new house or apartment, relevant criteria may include price, accessibility to public transport, and personal safety. Management decisions at a corporate level in both public and private sectors will typically involve consideration of a much wider range of criteria, especially when consensus needs to be sought across widely disparate interest groups. A number of examples illustrating such situations are presented in the next chapter.