Vectors of indicators and pointer function in the Multistage Bipolar Method

The Multistage Bipolar Method considered in the paper deals with multistage decision processes. Multistage alternatives are not compared directly to each other, but they are confronted with the stage sets of reference objects—desirable and non-acceptable. In the paper vectors and pointer functions are defined. The aim of the paper is to apply them to classify and rank multistage alternatives and search for the final solution. Our method simplifies the procedure of finding the final solution and allows to use single criterion dynamic programming to solve the problem.

     

Interactive Multiobjective Procedure for Mixed Problems and Its Application to Capacity Planning

A problem that appears in many decision models is that of the simultaneous occurrence of deterministic, stochastic, and fuzzy values in the set of multidimensional evaluations. Such problems will be called mixed problems. They lead to the formulation of optimization problems in ordered structures and their scalarization. The aim of the paper is to present an interactive procedure with trade-offs for mixed problems, which helps the decision-maker to make a final decision. Its basic advantage consists of simplicity: after having obtained the solution proposed, the decision-maker should determine whether it is satisfactory and if not, how it should be improved by indicating the criteria whose values should be improved, the criteria whose values cannot be made worse, and the criteria whose values can be made worse. The procedure is applied in solving capacity planning treated as a mixed dynamic programming problem.     

Scheduling non-critical activities using multicriteria approach

In many projects the problem of selecting the start time of a non-critical activity arises. Usually it is possible to use the “as soon as possible” or “as late as possible” rules. In some situations, however, the result of such a decision depends on external factors such as exchange rate. This leads to an approach in which the problem of scheduling non-critical activities is solved using an expanded Cox–Ross–Rubinstein (CRR) binomial tree method. In the paper a bi-criteria problem of determining the start time of a non-critical activity is considered. We assume that the early start and the late start of the activity have been identified using Critical Path Method, but the project manager is free to select the time when the activity will actually be started. This decision cannot, however, be changed later, as it is associated with the allocation of key resources. Two main criteria are considered: cost and risk. While cost depends on exchange rate, risk increases with the delay of the start of the activity. The problem can be described as a dynamic process. We propose a new interactive technique for solving such a bi-criteria decision making problem under risk. The procedure uses trade-offs to identify a candidate solution. The CRR binomial method is applied to evaluate the cost of the activity.

     

Interactive procedure for a multiobjective stochastic discrete dynamic problem

Multiple objectives and dynamics characterize many sequential decision problems. In the paper we consider returns in partially ordered criteria space as a way of generalization of single criterion dynamic programming models to multiobjective case. In our problem evaluations of alternatives with respect to criteria are represented by distribution functions. Thus, the overall comparison of two alternatives is equivalent to the comparison of two vectors of probability distributions. We assume that the decision maker tries to find a solution preferred to all other solutions (the most preferred solution). In the paper a new interactive procedure for stochastic, dynamic multiple criteria decision making problem is proposed. The procedure consists of two steps. First, the Bellman principle is used to identify the set of efficient solutions. Next interactive approach is employed to find the most preferred solution. A numerical example and a real-world application are presented to illustrate the applicability of the proposed technique.     

Bipolar sorting and ranking of multistage alternatives

Central European Journal of Operations Research - The present paper proposes an extension of the multicriteria Bipolar method, introduced by E. Konarzewska-Gubała, and its application to the...     

Discrete dynamic programming with outcomes in random variable structures

Multiobjective approach is the common way of generalization single-criterion dynamic programming models. Another way is to consider partially ordered criteria structures. That approach is rather rare. The aim of the paper is to present such a model. Generalization of Bellman’s principle of optimality is employed to create a forward procedure to find the set of all maximal elements. As this set is usual large, the second problem under consideration is to find its subsets. To reduce the number of solutions presented to decision maker we propose to apply a family of narrowing relations. That approach is similar to scalarization in multiobjective programming. Ordered structures of random variables based on mean–variance, stochastic dominance and inverse stochastic dominance are considered. Numerical illustration is given at the end of the paper.