MCDMDecision-makingNormalizationMath steps

Linear Sum Normalization — column-sum division (probability / stochastic normalisation)

OriginatorZavadskas, E. K., Turskis, Z., Peldschus, F., Kaklauskas, A.Year1994Sources1Related methods3

LINEAR-SUM-NORMALIZATION (Linear Sum Normalization — column-sum division (probability / stochastic normalisation)) is a normalization multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method introduced by Zavadskas, E. K., Turskis, Z., Peldschus, F., Kaklauskas, A. in 1994. 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

Each column sums to 1 — r_ij can be interpreted as the fraction of total criterion performance captured by alternative i. Used in MOORA (ratio system) and ENTROPY weighting.

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. 1.
    Zavadskas, E. K., Turskis, Z., Peldschus, F., Kaklauskas, A. (1994). Competitive comparison of contractors' offers in construction. Technika, Vilnius

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ScholarGate. (2026, June 2). LINEAR-SUM-NORMALIZATION. ScholarGate. https://scholargate.app/decision-making/linear-sum-normalization