ABSTRACT This paper presents an actual application of the FITradeoff method to support strategic decisions on military budgets. Using Optimization Techniques and a particular Multicriteria Decision Aid method to assess budget allocation efficiency, a model was built for the Brazilian Defense Ministry. A case study of the Brazilian Navy is described in this paper, whereby this model was used. The focus is on the adaptations of FITradeoff necessary to make it suitable for different groups of decision-makers and staff, performing different tasks on the process. The FITradeoff proposal allowed a group decision with different levels suitable to the military context and high-level strategic decisions. The use of multicriteria in this approach provides a meaningful utility measure. This provides a score value representing the desirability of an alternative, in terms of its attainment of the institution’s strategic objectives. The approach contributed to an approximate gain of 15% in budget efficiency in 2022.

ABSTRACT Since most of the studies about outsourcing are focused on mathematical models, this paper seeks to support from theoretical bases the use of partial information to ease the decision-making process; the practical contribution is to apply the FITradeoff method for solving a multicriteria problem of an agricultural research company that seeks to decide about the need to outsource the operation in case to overhead the limited capacity of the analysis services. After the FITradeoff method was applied to elicit preferences from each decision-maker (DM), the results show whether or not it would be feasible to outsource a given service, and what the most promising options are. The method required the DMs to answer in less time only a few questions, which avoided placing an unnecessary cognitive burden on them and proved to be useful in assisting DMs in the decision-making.

ABSTRACT This paper presents a broad overview of main contributions related to the FITradeoff (Flexible and Interactive Tradeoff) method. FITradeoff is a multicriteria method developed within the scope of the Multiattribute Value Theory (MAVT), considering partial information from the decision maker (DM) in the preference modelling process. Over the last few years, several methodological developments on this method have been published in the literature, as well as practical applications to a wide range of multicriteria decision problems. The most recent methodological advances are related to preference modelling process, which now integrate the two paradigms of elicitation by decomposition and holistic evaluation. Furthermore, contributions from behavioral studies, some of them including decision neuroscience, have enhanced the DSS free available for FITradeoff. In this paper, all previously developed works related to the FITradeoff method are approached, considering both methodological developments and practical applications. A summary on the different modeling approaches for solving different decision problematics (choice, ranking, sorting and portfolio) with FITradeoff is presented. The recently proposed combination of preference modeling paradigms - elicitation by decomposition and holistic evaluation - within the FITradeoff decision process is explained, as well its potential advantages for the elicitation process. Moreover, a brief review on the practical applications of the method in different contexts is presented. In addition, this work also brings a summary on the results of behavioral experiments conducted using neuroscience tools with the FITradeoff method, as well the methodological insights resulted from them, and future perspectives of potential research topics related to the FITradeoff method.

ABSTRACT This paper presents the problem of the prioritization of cultural tourism products (CTP) in Czeladź, one of the post-industrial towns in southern Poland. For the decision analysis, the new flexibility features of the FITradeoff multiple criteria method will be explored. In particular, this paper focuses on the combination of two preference modeling paradigms in the decision process: elicitation by decomposition, in the consequences space; and holistic evaluation, in the alternatives space. The FITradeoff method is a multiple criteria decision method for preferences elicitation in additive aggregation models, that works based on partial information about the decision maker’s preferences. The new decision process with the FITradeoff Decision Support System (DSS) will be explored and discussed in detail. The advantages of combination of two types of preference modeling are highlighted, with the possibility of shortening the decision problem with holistic judgments made based on graphical visualizations, saving time and effort from decision makers. CTP (CTP Czeladź postindustrial post industrial Poland analysis particular decomposition space evaluation models makers maker s DSS (DSS detail highlighted visualizations

ABSTRACT The Flexible and Interactive Tradeoff (FITradeoff) method is a multicriteria decision making/aiding (MCDM/A) method that uses partial information about the decision maker’s (DM’s) preferences in order to build a recommendation. This method preserves the strong axiomatic structure of the traditional tradeoff procedure, with an interactive and flexible process that demands less cognitive effort from the DM. Although FITradeoff has already been applied for aiding several practical decision situations, there is no previous study that tests the performance of this method with respect to expected theoretical benefits such as time and effort reduction. In this context, this paper presents the results of a simulation experiment that aims to analyze the behavior of FITradeoff in a wide range of scenarios. Computational constraints were identified in the simulation process, such as the number of simulations for each iteration. Despite the memory limitation of the software used, the number of total simulations performed was greater than what is commonly found in literature. We investigate how the performance of FITradeoff can be affected by changes in number of criteria, number of alternatives and weight pattern, and therefore it is possible to have a deeper understanding of the method and its main features. Therefore, this work focuses on studying, through simulations, the behavior of the multicriteria method FITradeoff, developed by De Almeida et al. (2016), filling a lack in the literature by analyzing said method in a wide array of scenarios by a simulation process in order to bring a better understanding of the method, as well as to validate it in a simulation study.