d-SSYS, a Computer Model for the Evaluation of Competing Alternatives

ABSTRACT This study was instigated to develop a computer model that (a) quantitatively evaluates competing research and development projects, and (b) assists in prioritizing such projects when resources are not sufficient to conduct all of them. An evaluation model was developed, based upon existing multiattribute utility theory but with some modification and innovation. The model, with user input, helps determine the relative weights of the factors or criteria used to evaluate the projects under consideration, and, again with user input, determines the utility function for each of the attributes. A computer program (which runs on any IBM-compatible personal computer under IBM- or MS-DOS Version 2.0 or later) was written to implement the model. A unique feature of this model is that it incorporates uncertainties of three types: (1) those dealing with the factor weights, (2) those dealing with the worth of each project with respect to each factor, and (3) those dealing with the utilities of the attributes....