Developing a mathematical programming model for sensitivity analysis in analytic hierarchy process (Q975798)

Summary: Sensitivity analysis is an important step in multi-criteria decision making that provides useful information and insights on the decision problem. The solution of a decision problem is not complete if only the ranks of alternatives are determined, since any change in the input parameters may change the ranking and the final decision. This article presents a mathematical programming model for sensitivity analysis in the analytic hierarchy process method to assess the minimum required changes in the weights of criteria to alter the alternatives ranking. The proposed model is applied to a real case of evaluating and selecting design and manufacturing software packages in a kitchen cabinet manufacturing company in Canada. The results of sensitivity analysis are used to assess the robustness of the final decision.