Reference Ideal Method
RIM (Reference Ideal Method) is a ranking multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method introduced by Cables, E., Lamata, M. T., Verdegay, J. L. in 2016. 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
CC_i ∈ [0,1]. Higher CC means the alternative is closer to the reference ideal interval and further from the anti-ideal. RIM generalises TOPSIS: when the reference ideal is a single point (RI_low = RI_high = ideal), RIM reduces to TOPSIS-like distance-to-ideal. The reference ideal interval allows the DM to specify a satisficing range rather than a single ideal point.
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.
- Assumes full compensation — a strong score on one criterion can offset a weak score on another.
Common pitfalls
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Sources
- 1.Cables, E., Lamata, M. T., Verdegay, J. L. (2016). RIM-reference ideal method in multicriteria decision making. Information Sciences
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Cite this page
ScholarGate. (2026, June 2). RIM. ScholarGate. https://scholargate.app/decision-making/rim