The Analytic Hierarchy Process: Enhancing Operational Level Decision Making

TL;DRAbstract

The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is examined as an enhancement to operational level planning. The process is simply described, followed by the application of the process to two national security grand strategy decisions. Moving down the level of decision making to the operational level, the decision matrix used in the Commander's Estimate of the Situation (CES) to analyze opposing courses of action is examined both in its existing form and under AHP. Lastly, AHP is applied to a specific CES from an operational case study using the software Expert Choice. The Analytic Hierarchy Process, as employed in Expert Choice, is a simple decision tool, yet provides extraordinary benefits in the areas of group dynamics and the treatment of intangibles, abstractions and uncertainty. Operational level planners are encouraged to test AHP and Expert Choice in both deliberate and crisis action planning.... Analytic hierarchy process, Planning, Decision making, Commander's estimate, Operational plan

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