Missing consequences in multiattribute utility theory

This paper addresses how to deal with decision alternatives with missing consequences in multicriteria decision‐making problems. We propose disregarding the attributes for which a decision alternative provides no consequence by redistributing their respective weights throughout the objective hierarchy in favor of a straightforward idea: the assignation of the respective attribute range as a default value for missing consequences due to possible uncertainty about the decision alternative consequences. In both cases, decision alternatives are evaluated by means of an additive multi‐attribute utility model. An illustrative example of the restoration of radionuclide contaminated aquatic ecosystems is shown.