MCDMDecision-makingWeight SubjectiveMath steps
Analytic Hierarchy Process
AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) is a weight subjective multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method introduced by Saaty, T. L. in 1980. It turns a decision matrix of alternatives scored on multiple criteria into a structured, reproducible result.
Key highlights
- Follows a transparent, reproducible computational procedure that can be audited step by step.
- Handles multiple criteria of differing scales and units within a single decision matrix.
Intuition
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How it works
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When to use it
The priority vector entries sum to 1 and represent relative importance. Always inspect CR; if CR > 0.10, revisit the pairwise judgments before using the weights downstream.
Strengths & limitations
Strengths
- Follows a transparent, reproducible computational procedure that can be audited step by step.
- Handles multiple criteria of differing scales and units within a single decision matrix.
Limitations
- May exhibit rank reversal when alternatives are added to or removed from the set.
Common pitfalls
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Sources
- 1.Saaty, T. L. (1980). The Analytic Hierarchy Process: Planning, Priority Setting, Resource Allocation. McGraw-Hill, New YorkISBN 978-0070543713
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Cite this page
ScholarGate. (2026, June 2). AHP. ScholarGate. https://scholargate.app/decision-making/ahp