MCDMDecision-makingWeight SubjectiveMath steps
Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory
DEMATEL (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) is a weight subjective multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method introduced by Gabus, A., Fontela, E. in 1972. 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
DEMATEL produces: (1) Weights from normalised prominence P_i; (2) Causal map — criteria with E_i > 0 belong to the cause group (drivers), those with E_i < 0 to the effect group (receivers). The causal map is the primary insight; weights are secondary.
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
- Results depend on the chosen normalisation, weights, and parameter settings.
Common pitfalls
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Sources
- 1.Gabus, A., Fontela, E. (1972). World problems, an invitation to further thought within the framework of DEMATEL. Battelle Geneva Research Centre, Geneva, Switzerland
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Cite this page
ScholarGate. (2026, June 2). DEMATEL. ScholarGate. https://scholargate.app/decision-making/dematel