18
D. Uzun Ozsahin et al.
3.1 Introduction
Ultimately, everyone is considered as a decision maker as we are all faced with
infinite choices on a daily basis and our decisions are made as result of a certain
decision-making process whether it be consciously or unconsciously. We accumulate
a certain degree of knowledge to help us reach our decisions. It is instinctive to
attempt to gather as much data as possible to reach a sound decision. However, not
all the data is valuable for the comprehension and development of judgments and can
instead sometimes cause complications and confusion. In some instances, it has been
demonstrated that knowing more does not necessarily lead to a better understanding.
To fundamentally comprehend a problem, it is necessary to determine the purpose of
the decision as well as the objectives and aims as the main factors that are the most
influential in choosing between different options. To identify the optimal alternative,
prioritization is a key notion in the process (Saaty 2008).
Decision making is a multi-disciplinary process that is a crucial aspect of different
processes in many different fields. Thus, attempts have been made for many years to
find an automated set of rules based on which decisions can be simplified and clearly
made. Using logic, psychology and mathematical computation decision making techniques have been developed and applied in a variety of fields to help automate
the process and give consistency to final decisions made by large corporations and
systems.
The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is a multi-criteria decision making technique developed by Saaty (1990) in the 1970s and has been continually advanced
and improved upon since then (Saaty 1980). This technique uses a hierarchy framework or levels and then uses pair-wise comparisons to eliminate alternative options;
this method is solely based on the comparison of two alternative elements based on
a common property. In this way, complex problems can be unravelled and a clear
decision can then be made.
To generalize, the analytical hierarchy process is a widely inclusive system used
to mathematically compute quantitative and qualitative criteria to help allude to the
most appropriate and ideal solution. It is a simple but extremely powerful tool for
subjective problems regarding prioritization and selection and is therefore widely
applied in multiple fields and organizations. For example, businesses can apply AHP
for strategic planning, equipment choices, customer selection and project management, while technological industries can also implement AHP for innovations with
several solutions AHP can also be implemented in government, healthcare and even
personal decisions such as college choices, property purchases or even when it comes
to purchasing a new car or mobile phone. This system can take a subjective problem
and give precise discrete nominal quantification values of priorities in a way that is
efficient and reliable.
The analytical hierarchy process has been described based on seven foundations
(Saaty 2001). The first of these is the derivation of ratio scales from reciprocal
pair wise comparisons. These ratio scales represent proportionality and are a crucial
component for synthesizing priorities in decision theory. Another main aspect of AHP
D. Uzun Ozsahin et al.
3.1 Introduction
Ultimately, everyone is considered as a decision maker as we are all faced with
infinite choices on a daily basis and our decisions are made as result of a certain
decision-making process whether it be consciously or unconsciously. We accumulate
a certain degree of knowledge to help us reach our decisions. It is instinctive to
attempt to gather as much data as possible to reach a sound decision. However, not
all the data is valuable for the comprehension and development of judgments and can
instead sometimes cause complications and confusion. In some instances, it has been
demonstrated that knowing more does not necessarily lead to a better understanding.
To fundamentally comprehend a problem, it is necessary to determine the purpose of
the decision as well as the objectives and aims as the main factors that are the most
influential in choosing between different options. To identify the optimal alternative,
prioritization is a key notion in the process (Saaty 2008).
Decision making is a multi-disciplinary process that is a crucial aspect of different
processes in many different fields. Thus, attempts have been made for many years to
find an automated set of rules based on which decisions can be simplified and clearly
made. Using logic, psychology and mathematical computation decision making techniques have been developed and applied in a variety of fields to help automate
the process and give consistency to final decisions made by large corporations and
systems.
The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is a multi-criteria decision making technique developed by Saaty (1990) in the 1970s and has been continually advanced
and improved upon since then (Saaty 1980). This technique uses a hierarchy framework or levels and then uses pair-wise comparisons to eliminate alternative options;
this method is solely based on the comparison of two alternative elements based on
a common property. In this way, complex problems can be unravelled and a clear
decision can then be made.
To generalize, the analytical hierarchy process is a widely inclusive system used
to mathematically compute quantitative and qualitative criteria to help allude to the
most appropriate and ideal solution. It is a simple but extremely powerful tool for
subjective problems regarding prioritization and selection and is therefore widely
applied in multiple fields and organizations. For example, businesses can apply AHP
for strategic planning, equipment choices, customer selection and project management, while technological industries can also implement AHP for innovations with
several solutions AHP can also be implemented in government, healthcare and even
personal decisions such as college choices, property purchases or even when it comes
to purchasing a new car or mobile phone. This system can take a subjective problem
and give precise discrete nominal quantification values of priorities in a way that is
efficient and reliable.
The analytical hierarchy process has been described based on seven foundations
(Saaty 2001). The first of these is the derivation of ratio scales from reciprocal
pair wise comparisons. These ratio scales represent proportionality and are a crucial
component for synthesizing priorities in decision theory. Another main aspect of AHP