Decisi-o-rama

An open-source Python library for multi-attribute value/utility decision analysis

Journal Article (2020)
Author(s)

Juan C. Chacon-Hurtado (TU Delft - Sanitary Engineering)

L. Scholten (TU Delft - Policy Analysis)

Research Group
Sanitary Engineering
Copyright
© 2020 J.C. Chacon Hurtado, L. Scholten
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2020.104890
More Info
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Publication Year
2020
Language
English
Copyright
© 2020 J.C. Chacon Hurtado, L. Scholten
Research Group
Sanitary Engineering
Volume number
135
Pages (from-to)
1-12
Reuse Rights

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Abstract

Environmental decisions are complex as they are multi-dimensional, highly interdisciplinary and not only involve multiple stakeholders with conflicting objectives, but also many possible alternatives with uncertain consequences. The difficulty lies in making trade-offs between tough value trade-offs on the one hand while appreciating uncertain impacts of alternatives on the other. To support decisions tackling such problems, a combination of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and environmental models is promising yet limited by the available MCDA software. Here, we present Decisi-o-rama, an open-source Python MCDA library for single and sets (portfolios) of alternatives in the context of multi-attribute value/utility theory (MAUT/MAVT). Its development was driven by four aspirations that are crucial for usability in the context of environmental decision-making: (1) interoperability, (2) uncertainty-awareness, (3) computational efficiency, and (4) integration with portfolio decisions. The results indicate that these aspirations are met, thus facilitating the adoption of MCDA methods by environmental researchers and practitioners.