ABSTRACT
Summary
MCDA, or Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis, is the set of tools and methods we will explore in this book. MCDA provides a mathematical methodology that incorporates the values of decision makers and stakeholders as well as technical information to select the best solution for the problems that they may face; this allows for a more logical and scientifically defensible decision to be made. In this chapter, we discuss the need for formalization of decision processes and explore the types of methods and their relative strengths and weaknesses. We also introduce a software called DECERNS which can be used in conjunction with this book to explore the use of different MCDA methods and applications.
