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Setup a Table View
Setup a Table View

Compare Product Groups Using MCDA Table View Functionality

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Written by Alex Inglis
Updated over a week ago

Introduction

Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis, or MCDA, is a valuable tool that we can apply to many complex decisions. It is most applicable to solving problems that are characterized as a choice among alternatives. It has all the characteristics of a useful decision support tool, it helps us focus on what is important, is logical and consistent, and is easy to use. At its core MCDA is useful for:

  • Dividing the decision into smaller, more understandable parts

  • Analyzing each part

  • Integrating the parts to produce a meaningful solution

When used for group decision making, MCDA helps groups talk about their decision opportunity (the problem to be solved) in a way that allows them to consider the values that each views as important. It also provides a unique ability for people to consider and talk about complex trade-offs among alternatives. In effect, it helps people think, re-think, query, adjust, decide, rethink some more, test, adjust, and finally decide.

MCDA problems are comprised of five components:

  • Goal

  • Decision maker or group of decision makers with opinions (preferences)

  • Decision alternatives

  • Evaluation criteria (interests)

  • Outcomes or consequences associated with alternative/interest combination (NSU; 2011)

Overview

Set up an MCDA of Acetone, Xylene and Hexane and identify which material alternative is rated the best

  • Start the MCDA and add Product groups to the MCDA

  • Analyse products across dimensions and interpret results

  • Save the MCDA

Step 1

There are two alternatives to conducting a MCDA: The 'Product Comparison' and the 'Table View' applications. Both are accessible through the 'Additional Makersite tools' menu from the Dashboard.

Both options provide a step by step explanation of MCDA.

For this example we will use 'Table View'.

In the Table View a detailed insight into the results of the Datasets is provided. This includes a direct comparison of:

  • “General information”

  • “Environmental impacts”

  • “Chemistry”

  • “Uses”

  • “DNEL values”

  • “Hazard thresholds”

  • “GHS hazard classifications”

  • “Precautions” and “Products”

Note: also from the tool panels on the Product Model and the Product group the table view MCDA can be started.

Step 2

Once you have selected 'Table View' from the Additional Makersite Tools menu, you can then search for the first Dataset, type Acetone into the Search Bar of the pop-up window.

Note: Make sure to check the Product Group for Acetone is from the correct source, for this example please choose the 'Premium', 'EcoInvent' Product Group.

Once the result has appeared, click the small box in the top left hand corner next to Acetone, this will select the Product Group for comparison. After selecting Acetone, click on 'Compare Product' at the bottom of the pop-up window, this will open a new window showing your selection, from here you can add more Datasets to compare.

Click on 'Add Dataset' in the top right corner, and repeat the process above to search for and select 'Xylene'.

Once Xylene is added, repeat the process above to add 'Hexane' to the comparison. Once all three Datasets have been added, click on 'Analyze across dimensions', this will open the MCDA page.

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