ELECTRE I — ELimination Et Choix Traduisant la REalité
ELECTRE (ELECTRE I — ELimination Et Choix Traduisant la REalité) is a outranking multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method introduced by Roy, B. in 1968. 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
ELECTRE I produces a partial preorder (outranking graph) and a kernel (non-dominated set), not a complete ranking. An alternative a outranks b if C(a,b) ≥ c̄ AND D(a,b) ≤ d̄. The kernel is the recommended choice set. Alternatives not in the kernel may still be incomparable (not dominated). Adjust thresholds c̄ and d̄ to reflect the decision-maker's tolerance for inconsistency and veto.
Strengths & limitations
- 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.
- May exhibit rank reversal when alternatives are added to or removed from the set.
Common pitfalls
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Sources
- 1.Roy, B. (1968). Classement et choix en présence de points de vue multiples (la méthode ELECTRE). Revue Française d'Informatique et de Recherche Opérationnelle
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ScholarGate. (2026, June 2). ELECTRE. ScholarGate. https://scholargate.app/decision-making/electre