Technical Policy Briefing Notes - 7
Analytic Hierarchy Process
Discussion and Applicability
Policy Briefs
Analytic Hierarchy Process
Discussion and Applicability
The review and case studies provide a number of
practical lessons on the application of AHP to
adaptation. They provide useful information on
the types of adaptation problem types where
AHP might be appropriate, as well as data
needs, resource requirements and good practice.
The approach is considered particularly applicable when assessing both quantitative and qualitative criteria, even those which are not directly comparable using conventional decision support techniques. While promising, it is necessary to understand the limitations of the approach e.g. the evaluation and analysis can become more complicated the higher the number of options and criteria / sub-criteria that are included. However, the ability to compare tangibles and intangibles and incorporate a range of preferences from different actors is highly relevant where differing decision lifetimes, time horizons, scales and uncertainty are important considerations.
The approach is considered particularly applicable when assessing both quantitative and qualitative criteria, even those which are not directly comparable using conventional decision support techniques. While promising, it is necessary to understand the limitations of the approach e.g. the evaluation and analysis can become more complicated the higher the number of options and criteria / sub-criteria that are included. However, the ability to compare tangibles and intangibles and incorporate a range of preferences from different actors is highly relevant where differing decision lifetimes, time horizons, scales and uncertainty are important considerations.
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