Integrated object-oriented framework for multi-criteria decision making and decision support system modelling

The undertaking of Multicriteria Decision Making (MCDM) and the development of Decision Support Systems (DSSs) tend to be complex and inefficient, leading to low productivity in decision analysis and DSSs. Towards this end, this study has developed a framework based on object orientation for MCDM and DSS modelling. The framework can create models to represent decision problems and decision making procedures in a simple and transparent way, reuse existing knowledge, and thus handle the complexity and inefficiency in both decision analysis and DSS development. The practical application of the object-oriented approach in the development of DSSs and in the facilitation of decision analysis for MCDM problems has shown that the object-oriented approach can provide a solid methodological and philosophical basis for both decision making and the development of DSSs.