Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process in Evaluating Decision Alternatives

Abstract

In this paper the method of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is described. At the beginning the general assumptions of the method are characterized and discussed. These are related to assumptions held within General Systems Theory. Then the problems of pairwise comparisons of elements, with its use of a specific scale, as well as the resulting reciprocal matrix are presented. There are many ways of estimating the eigenvectors of this matrix. These eigenvectors reflect weights of preferences. Despite the fact that we are able to evaluate the consistency of judgements the problem of acceptable weights still remains. Therefore, by way of an illustration, the method for the sensitivity analysis of preferences is also discussed in the paper. (original abstract)