Hi Joy Nondy

TOPSIS, like many similar methods, prioritizes the most important parameters of the problem. You can choose one or more of the suggested parameters or options to investigate the issue. I also suggest that: 1. In addition to TOPSIS, use methods such as hierarchical analysis or network analysis to analyze your problem 2. Fuzzy Each of the selected methods can give you a better and more accurate answer.

Good luck

Dear Joy

TOPSIS finds, as most MCDM methods, the most convenient or compromise solution, but it does not optimize

None on the MCDM methods optimize

TOPSIS uses weights either objective, for instance from entropy, or subjective, from AHP.

The first are really weights and have the capacity to evaluate alternatives. The second are not weights but trade-offs and without any capacity to evaluate alternatives

Consequently, if the same problem is solved by two different DMs, most probably they will get different results, not only with TOPSIS but also with ALL other MCDM methods, simply, because the inputs are different.

In addition, even if TOPSIS may use objective weights, results may be different because different distances can be used, at the DM election.

Usually, you report the result that you got with TOPSIS, to justify it to the stakeholders is a different issue, because they can ask you:

Why are you using subjective weights?

Which are your arguments to justify that a criterion is say 2 times better than another?

On what premises are you based to compare alternatives? On your intuition?

Why do you thing that the distance that you chose, say Manhattan, is better than others?

What method do you use to perform a sensitivity analysis?

Dear Majid

I am afraid that I disagree with your statement that TOPSIS prioritizes the most important parameters. It prioritizes alternatives. Parameters are prioritized, rightly or wrongly, with other methods such as entropy and AHP.

I don't understand your sentence . 'You can choose one or more of the suggested parameters or options to investigate the issue'

Could you please clarify it? Which issue?

Hi Mr @Nolberto Munier

I have received your comments and ambiguities, while respecting your point of view, I will answer these ambiguities at the earliest opportunity.

Good luck

Thank you Majid Jangizehi and Nolberto Munier for your intriguing replies.

Dear Majid

Thank you for your answer, however, I don't think that my comments have ambiguities, I am usually very direct. However, if you think that I use ambiguities please point out them to me, and I will very glad to respond

Dear Nolberto Munier

Looking at the answers, I feel that what I said was vague. I take this opportunity to explain appropriately. I believe that:

1. TOPSIS ranks options. These options in different issues can be a parameter, goal, option or .... 2. About the sentence: " You can choose one or more of the suggested parameters or options to investigate the issue " I mean: in a hypothetical decision problem, TOPSIS can help us prioritize each of the problem options. I think using the term parameter instead of option has caused this misunderstanding.

Finally, thank you for your detailed comments Good luck

Dear Majid

Thank you for your answer

You are right, TOPSIS as any other MCDM method rank options, alternatives , projects, scenarios, indicators, etc. AHP and ANP rank criteria as well as options.

Your sentence ''In a hypothetical decision problem, TOPSIS can help us prioritize each of the problem options' is intriguing as I mentioned before.

Your explanation, from my point of view does not clarify the issue, since TOPSIS or any other MCDM method, have been created with the purpose of prioritizing or ranking options.

When I read it, I interpreted that TOPSIS provides additional information, for instance, the reason by which a certain option is preferred over others.

Short answer: no. TOPSIS gives you one top alternative for a given criteria weight set (actually, as other said, a rank). Then it's up to you to decide what to do.