According to
Rosato (1998), the multi-criteria analysis has significantly influenced the public choice process and it can be of support to the decision maker to identify the best option among the various possible alternatives (ex-ante evaluation) and to assess the project Impacts (ex-post evaluation). Multicriteria analysis comes from a critical review of cost-benefit analysis.
It aggregates the performance rating of alternatives on different criteria into an overall performance rating. Alternatives are rated on preference on each criterion. Given that criteria are properties for which to measure the portfolio's performance on a goal best. The alternative assessment is closely linked to the goal.
Unlike traditional problem optimization, the multicriteria analysis orientates choice by selection of more criteria, better in conflict between them and usually not measurable.
MCDA requires a preselection of the alternatives and criteria to be analyzed through qualitative and quantitative assessments, considering criteria with different measures and not just monetary ones.
The criteria can be subdivided into subcriters or in Gender classes (clusters); they indicate costs and benefits to Decision Maker.
The multi-criteria phases are as follows:
- definition of one or more analysis matrices as well as a finite number of options and criteria;
- assignment of weights;
- sensitivity analysis;
- decision Maker Final Conclusions and Reviews.
CONCLUSION