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Trends and applications of multi-criteria decision analysis: use in government agencies

Author

Listed:
  • Margaret H. Kurth

    (US Army Corps of Engineers)

  • Sabrina Larkin

    (US Army Corps of Engineers)

  • Jeffrey M. Keisler

    (University of Massachusetts Boston)

  • Igor Linkov

    (US Army Corps of Engineers)

Abstract

Government agencies are responsible for making complex, high-stake decisions, which require them to balance political, technical, and economic considerations. Pressure from stakeholders and administrative requirements necessitate a traceable and transparent method for decision making. Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods are available to decision makers to facilitate systematic treatment of the information and factors necessary to make informed and effective decisions in complex circumstances. A survey of gray and academic literature was conducted to gauge the level of application and awareness of MCDA methods by US government agencies and determine if the tools’ benefits are being realized. Results show an increase in awareness and consideration of MCDA from 2000 to the present, and that agencies are especially considering and using tools to engage with stakeholders. Government agencies would benefit from extending the application of MCDA to strategic planning and congressional engagement, as well as by standardizing MCDA use to better enable inter-agency collaboration and communication.

Suggested Citation

  • Margaret H. Kurth & Sabrina Larkin & Jeffrey M. Keisler & Igor Linkov, 2017. "Trends and applications of multi-criteria decision analysis: use in government agencies," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 37(2), pages 134-143, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:envsyd:v:37:y:2017:i:2:d:10.1007_s10669-017-9644-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s10669-017-9644-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jeffrey M. Keisler & Christy M. Foran & Maija M. Kuklja & Igor Linkov, 2017. "Undue concentration of research and education: multi-criteria decision approach to assess jurisdiction eligibility for NSF funding," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 37(3), pages 367-378, September.
    2. Zachary A. Collier & James H. Lambert & Igor Linkov, 2017. "Preview of the June issue featuring literature reviews of MCDA and articles authored by students," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 37(2), pages 121-122, June.
    3. Souad Ahmed Benromdhane, 2021. "A multi-attribute utility model for environmental decision-making: an application to casting," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 41(1), pages 21-32, March.
    4. R. Cantelmi & G. Di Gravio & R. Patriarca, 2021. "Reviewing qualitative research approaches in the context of critical infrastructure resilience," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 41(3), pages 341-376, September.
    5. Amir Noori & Hossein Bonakdari & Khosro Morovati & Bahram Gharabaghi, 2018. "The optimal dam site selection using a group decision-making method through fuzzy TOPSIS model," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 38(4), pages 471-488, December.
    6. Strong, Peter & Shenvi, Aditi & Yu, Xuewen & Papamichail, K. Nadia & Wynn, Henry P. & Smith, Jim Q., 2023. "Building a Bayesian decision support system for evaluating COVID-19 countermeasure strategies," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 113632, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    7. R. Duncan McIntosh & Austin Becker, 2020. "Applying MCDA to weight indicators of seaport vulnerability to climate and extreme weather impacts for U.S. North Atlantic ports," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 40(3), pages 356-370, September.
    8. Judit Lienert & Igor Linkov, 2019. "Editorial featured papers on environmental decisions," EURO Journal on Decision Processes, Springer;EURO - The Association of European Operational Research Societies, vol. 7(3), pages 151-157, November.
    9. Jamile Eleutério Delesposte & Luís Alberto Duncan Rangel & Marcelo Jasmim Meiriño & Ramon Baptista Narcizo & André Armando Mendonça de Alencar Junior, 2021. "Use of multicriteria decision aid methods in the context of sustainable innovations: bibliometrics, applications and trends," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 41(4), pages 501-522, December.
    10. Amaury Caruzzo & Cintia Maria Rodrigues Blanco & Paul Joe, 2020. "Developing a multi-attribute decision aid model for selection of a weather radar supplier," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 40(3), pages 371-384, September.
    11. Anna E. Tovkach & John C. Boyle & Enoch A. Nagelli & Corey M. James & Pamela L. Sheehan & Andrew R. Pfluger, 2023. "Structured decision making for assessment of solid waste-to-energy systems for decentralized onsite applications," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 43(1), pages 54-71, March.
    12. Kik, M.C. & Claassen, G.D.H. & Meuwissen, M.P.M. & Smit, A.B. & Saatkamp, H.W., 2021. "Actor analysis for sustainable soil management – A case study from the Netherlands," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    13. Francesca Marsili & Jörg Bödefeld, 2021. "Integrating Cluster Analysis into Multi-Criteria Decision Making for Maintenance Management of Aging Culverts," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(20), pages 1-18, October.

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