Demystifying DEA — A Visual Interactive Approach Based on Multiple Criteria Analysis

Both Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Multiple Criteria Analysis (MCA) can be used to assess the efficiency with which units perform similar tasks. This paper describes an approach derived from the integration of data envelopment analysis and a multi-attribute value function. This approach is implemented as a visual interactive decision support system, the use of which is illustrated by a practical application. The authors feel that this approach overcomes some of the limitations of the original DEA approach and, in particular, increases users' understanding of DEA. The approach is particularly well suited to the analysis of the efficiency of a small number of units.