ABSTRACT
Decision analysis centers on the idea that by quantifying the preferences for each goal rather than the solution, a more objective and systematic solution can be reached. This quantification of the goals is accomplished by weighting criteria. By defining which judging criteria are most important, we are able to construct the framework by which potential solutions will be measured. Three methods of weighting will be detailed here: ranking, pairwise comparison, and swing-weighting. In this case, members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and academicians (PB meeting) were surveyed to provide a broad and well-informed weighting. Other stakeholders, including policy makers, residents, industry, and so on, could also be included in this weight elicitation.
