"Multiple-Criteria Decision Approach (MCDA) (or Multi-Criteria Decision-Making) is a method to systematically rank or prioritize available options based on multiple conditions. It is used in operational research to evaluate multiple and possibly conflicting criteria (e.g., cost and quality).

Start by defining the objective or answer the question, “what is the outcome you hope to achieve?” Next, identify the criteria and then weigh the criteria. Some criteria will be more important to the decision than others so each option would need to be weighted. Once the options are listed, now they are each ranked against each of the criteria.

For example, you might ask where our organization should get new space. You might have four available spaces to consider. First identify then weigh the criteria. Once the criteria and weight are determined, decide how each option measures up to each criterion. Use this to then determine the overall weight by multiplying each options criterion score by the criterion weight and calculating the options overall score.

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