Uses and Limitations of the AHP Method: A Non-Mathematical and Rational Analysis

This book examines the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, its varied uses, as well as its limitations for solving real-world scenarios. While the simplicity of the method compels users to find shortcuts to a real-world problem, it also leads to obtaining wrong results that do not represent reality. By alerting practitioners about the core necessities of a new scenario, this book helps solve this problem, as well as contribute to the field of Multicriteria Decision Making Method (MDCM).

The authors use a demonstrative, rather than a theoretical approach, and examine 30 subjects that displays the shortcomings and drawbacks of the AHP. Each one is examined in-depth, discussed, debated and reasoned, using examples, some of them numeric. The book highlights the rationality and common sense of the subjects, and in most cases, validates the criticism by showing through numerical examples, the impossibility of the AHP method to address, let alone solve real-world projects. At the conclusion of each subject, a table is built comparing the similarities and differences between the opinions of the authors and other experts, along with the respective pros and cons.

Nolberto Munier is a Mechanical Engineer, with a Ph.D in Project Management. He is a technical writer and reviewer of technical articles for several journals.

Eloy Hontoria is an Industrial Engineer, with a Ph.D. in Economics and Business Administration (International Doctorate Mention). Dr. Honotoria is currently working at the Department of Business Economics at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena, Spain. His research interests refer to operations research, IT, governance and business informatics.