Visualization of criteria priorities using a ternary diagram

Abstract

It is obvious in the analytic hierarchy process that criteria weights heavily affect the final global weights of alternatives. However, it is not always important for decision-makers to weigh criteria priorities in advance if they are mainly interested in whom they would like to choose. We propose a method that visualizes the relationship between criteria priorities and the most favorable alternative to help decision-makers with reaching their decision. This method has two features: one, the decision-makers do not need to provide criteria priorities, and two, the alternative weights with respect to each criterion are measured not by pairwise comparison but by using a ternary diagram. This makes decision-making easier to understand visually and eliminates having to deal with C.I. values.