Supporting the Negotiated Selection of a Pareto Optimal Solution

Abstract

From a content perspective, Simulation-Based Many-Objective Optimisation with a posteriori decision analysis is a promising method in analysing and solving semi- structured process improvement problems. From a process management perspective, the use of MOO can be perceived dicult; the optimisation process requires a structured problem formulation and the output of the optimisation can cause information overload for the decision makers. This paper presents a decision aiding approach with Simulation-Based Many Objective Optimisation to demonstrate that these burdens can be overcome and that the approach can be not only of added value for the content of the decision making, but also has a strategic role in the decision making process. The decision aiding approach can lead to (1) increased trust in the optimisation results, (2) more awareness about the preferences of other stakeholders, (3) faster convergence of the preferences of the decision makers and thus more progress in the decision making process and (4) increased support for the selected solution. Future research can focus on the application of the decision aiding approach to ill-structured problems where decision makers from different organisations are involved.