Weighting and scoring (see Problem and Exercise 13) is only one method for comparing alternative solutions to a problem. Go to the library, find a book or articles on qualitative and quantitative decision making and voting methods, and outline two other methods for evaluating alternative solutions to a problem. What are the pros and cons of these methods compared to the weighting and scoring method? Under weighting and scoring and the other alternatives you find, how would you incorporate the opinions of multiple decision makers?

Data from Problem and Exercises 13

The method for evaluating alternatives used in Figure 7-19 is called weighting and scoring. This method implies that the total utility of an alternative is the sum of the products of the weights and ratings of each criterion for the alternative. What assumptions are characteristic of this method for evaluating alternatives? That is, what conditions must be true for this to be a valid method of evaluating alternatives?

Figure 7.19.

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Criteria Requirements Real-time data entry Auto reorder Real-time data query Constraints Development costs Hardware costs Time to operation Ease of training Total Weight Alternative A Rating Score 18 18 14 50 20 15 10 5 50 100 5 90 3 54 1 14 158 5 5 5 5 100 75 50 25 250 408 Alternative B Alternative C Rating Score Rating Score 5 5 3 4 4 4 3 90 90 42 222 80 60 40 15 195 417 5 5 5 3435 90 90 70 250 60 60 30 25 175 425