MCDMDecision-makingAggregationMath steps

Weighted Harmonic Mean

WHM (Weighted Harmonic Mean) is a aggregation multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method introduced by Bullen, P. S. Mitrinović, D. S. Vasić, P. M. in 1988. 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

Higher WHM score indicates better aggregated performance. Penalises low values more harshly than AM.

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.

Sources

  1. 1.
    Bullen, P. S., Mitrinović, D. S., Vasić, P. M. (1988). Means and Their Inequalities. D. Reidel Publishing (Springer)

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Cite this page

ScholarGate. (2026, June 2). WHM. ScholarGate. https://scholargate.app/decision-making/whm