Integrated value function construction with application to impact assessments
An integrated structure is provided for processing various forms of imprecise preference information in the context of multicriteria impact assessments. Linear programming formulations generate best-t value function models and associated ranking of alternatives, both when preferences are over-determined (leading to potential inconsistencies) or when preference information is incomplete. In the latter context, the algorithm identies a range of possible rank orders for the decision alternatives under consideration, consistent with the information provided. The approach is primarily aimed at structuring opinions of experts concerning the desirability of dierent actions in terms of technical aspects, intended as input into the nal political decision making process. It is demonstrated that the approach described here can be implemented with modest levels of eort by the experts. Experiences are reported with the approach in the context of a problem of a soil sanitation problem in the Netherlands, in which experts expressed satisfaction with the resulting rank ordering of alternatives.