Analytic Hierarchy Process

The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is a problem solving framework used in decision making. Developed in the 1970s, it is a systematic process for representing the elements of a problem, for relating those elements to overall goals, and for choosing among alternative solutions.

While AHP can be used by individuals working on straightforward problems, it is best suited to situations where teams of people are working on problems that are highly complex. It has the proven ability to resolve or assist in resolving a wide range of important decision problems. It has been successfully applied to many complex planning, resource allocation, and priority setting problems in business, government, and elsewhere.

References

• Paper: Smith School, University of Maryland
• Book: Natural Resource and Environmental Decision Making
• Overview from The Quality Portal
• Example from Carnegie-Mellon University
• Short nontechnical summary from University of Cambridge
• Example & critique from MSDN Magazine
• Summary & example from iSixSigma Magazine
• Tutorial Program from QFD Institute
• Book: Naveet Bhushan
• Paper: Using AHP in Engineering Education (University of Wales Cardiff)
• Abstract: Transportation and Climate Change (Social Science Research Network)
• Full text of above: An Analytic Hierarchy Process for the Evaluation of Transport Policies to Reduce Climate Change Impacts (University of Padua, Italy)