Co-plot: A graphic display method for geometrical representations of multi-criteria decision models

A relatively new multivariate analysis method called Co-plot is shown to be highly efficient for the geometrical representation of multicriteria decision problems. Co-plot, a two-dimensional graphic display technique, is designed for multicriteria analysis. Its main feature is the simultaneous analysis of actions (e.g., observations) and criteria (e.g., variables) in a simple way. The method produces three results: (1) similarity among actions by the composite of all criteria involved; (2) the structure of correlations among the criteria, and (3) the mutual relationships between the actions and the criteria. The method is demonstrated on two numerical applications previously analyzed by Mareschal and Brans using the Promethee methods and Principal Component Analysis.