Complex Decision Making for Engineering and Management

Decision-making is an essential process in engineering, management, and business, particularly when decisions involve multiple alternatives, competing criteria, uncertainty, and different stakeholder perspectives. In complex situations, relying solely on intuition or individual judgment may lead to inconsistent decisions and difficulties in identifying the most appropriate solutions. Therefore, a structured decision-making approach is needed to evaluate alternatives systematically, consider different priorities, and support rational decision outcomes. Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods, such as the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), provide analytical frameworks for comparing and ranking alternatives. In addition, group decision-making approaches help integrate diverse opinions, expertise, and stakeholder preferences, while an understanding of decision-making styles supports the selection of appropriate approaches according to the situation. These competencies are important for developing well-informed, transparent, and accountable decisions in complex professional environments.

This course introduces the concepts, methods, and practical applications of complex decision-making in engineering and management. Learners will explore the fundamental principles of complex decision-making, including the challenges associated with multiple alternatives, evaluation criteria, uncertainty, and conflicting objectives. The course covers two widely used multi-criteria decision-making methods: the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) for determining criteria priorities and evaluating alternatives through pairwise comparisons, and TOPSIS for ranking alternatives based on their relative distance from ideal and negative ideal solutions. Participants will also learn about group decision-making concepts and approaches, including how to manage differences in expertise, experience, and preferences among decision makers. Furthermore, the course examines various decision-making styles and the factors influencing the selection of individual, consultative, or collaborative approaches. Through these topics, learners will develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives, integrate stakeholder perspectives, and present decision outcomes professionally.