Manual ExpertChoice

Table of Contents
Introduction Conventions Getting Started / Building a Model in the TreeView 9 9 10
ModelView Overview.................................................................................. 10 Creating a File and Goal Description .......................................................... 10 To create a new file: ...................................................................... 10 Adding the Objectives and Sub-objectives to ModelView's TreeView .......... 11 To add an objective: ...................................................................... 11 To add sub-objectives below an Objective: .................................... 11 To add an objective to an existing model: ...................................... 11 Renaming Nodes in the ModelView's TreeView.......................................... 11 To rename a node: ........................................................................ 11 Deleting Nodes in the TreeView ................................................................. 12 To delete a node and all of its descendants in the TreeView: ......... 12 TrashCan................................................................................................... 12 To Open the TrashCan: ................................................................. 12 To move nodes back into the TreeView (hierarchy):....................... 12 Copy Plex and Drag ................................................................................... 12 To move a node: ........................................................................... 12 Adding Alternatives to the ModelView......................................................... 13 Renaming Alternatives in the ModelView.................................................... 13 Inactivating and Reactivating Alternatives................................................... 13 To inactivate alternatives from the Alternatives pane:..................... 13 To inactivate alternatives from the Data Grid:................................. 13 To reactivate alternatives - only available from the Data Grid: ........ 14 Adding Information Documents .................................................................. 14 Dragging to Import Files to Information Documents:....................... 15 Adding Notes ............................................................................................. 15 Displaying Priorities in ModelView .............................................................. 16 Displaying the Current Nodes Children in the Alternatives Pane ................. 16 Deleting an Information Document or Note ................................................. 16 To Undo the Last Pairwise Comparison:..................................................... 17 To Undo the Last judgment or Data Value Entered in the Data Grid:........... 17 To Undo - Information Documents or Notes:............................................... 17 Revert........................................................................................................ 17 Opening a Model........................................................................................ 17 To open another model: ............................................................................. 17 Converting to an Incomplete Hierarchy....................................................... 18 Rollup ........................................................................................................ 18 Converting from Version 9.5....................................................................... 19 File Structure ............................................................................................. 19
Structuring - Another Way to Build A Model
19
Top Down or Bottom Up............................................................................. 19 First Create a File (Model) and Goal Description ........................................ 19 To create a new file: ...................................................................... 19 Enable Structuring ..................................................................................... 20 For a Newly Created Model with Only a Goal Node:....................... 20 For Existing Models: ...................................................................... 20
Top Down Structuring ................................................................................ 20 Adding Objectives and Sub-objectives to ClusterView .......................... 20 To add objective (or sub-objective) to the ClusterView:............................... 20 To group sub-objectives within the ClusterView:......................................... 21 Moving Nodes in the ClusterView......................................................... 21 Deleting Nodes in the ModelView's ClusterView................................... 21 To delete a node and all of its descendants in the ClusterView: .................. 21 Adding Alternatives in Top Down Structuring........................................ 21 Finish Top Down Structuring ................................................................ 21 Bottom Up Structuring................................................................................ 22 Adding Alternatives in Bottom Up Structuring ....................................... 22 Adding Pros and Cons for Each Alternative.......................................... 22 View the List of All Pros and Cons ....................................................... 22 Building the Hierarchy.......................................................................... 23 Finish Button Up Structuring....................................................................... 23
Pairwise Comparison Process - Making Judgments
23
Making Paired Comparisons ...................................................................... 23 Making Verbal Judgments ............................................................. 24 Making Numerical Judgments........................................................ 24 Making Graphical Judgments......................................................... 24 Structural Adjust ............................................................................ 24 Examining and Improving Inconsistency ........................................ 24 Making Verbal Judgments.......................................................................... 24 Judgments can be made any of the following ways: ....................... 25 To advance to the next judgment: .................................................. 25 To invert a judgment (to select the other element in the comparison)25 To enter judgments directly in the comparison matrix:.................... 26 Making Numerical Judgments .................................................................... 26 Judgments can be made any of the following ways: ....................... 26 To advance to the next judgment: .................................................. 26 To invert a judgment (to select the other element in the comparison)27 To enter judgments directly in the comparison matrix:.................... 27 Making Graphical Judgments ..................................................................... 27 Judgments can be made any of the following ways: ....................... 27 To advance to the next judgment: .................................................. 28 To invert a judgment (to select the other bar in the comparison)..... 28 To enter judgments directly in the comparison matrix:.................... 28 Direct Entry of Priorities.............................................................................. 28 To directly assign weights:............................................................. 28 Making Diagonal Pairwise Judgments ........................................................ 29 Making a Factor Dormant from the Pairwise Comparison Matrix ................. 29 To reactivate a factor:.................................................................... 29 Structural Adjust......................................................................................... 30 Examining and Improving Inconsistency..................................................... 30 To view the most inconsistent judgment:........................................ 30 To lower the Inconsistency Ratio for a set of judgments you can either: Understanding Inconsistency ..................................................................... 31 Importing & Exporting to/from any Pairwise Window ................................... 32 Importing Only the Upper Portion of the Matrix ........................................... 33 Importing a Row Vector.............................................................................. 33 Importing a Column Vector......................................................................... 33
30
Synthesis 33
Synthesis Overview.................................................................................... 33 Synthesizing Group Judgments ..................................................... 34
Synthesizing from the Data Grid .................................................... 34 How to Synthesize ..................................................................................... 34 Selecting Synthesis Type ........................................................................... 34
Senstivity-Graphs
34
Sensitivity Analysis..................................................................................... 34 PerformancePerformance_Sensitivity ............................................ 35 DynamicDynamic_Sensitivity......................................................... 35 GradientGradient_Sensitivity ......................................................... 35 Head to HeadHead_to_Head_Sensitivity ....................................... 35 Two DimensionalTwo_Dimensional_Sensitivity.............................. 35 Performance Sensitivity.............................................................................. 35 Dynamic Sensitivity.................................................................................... 36 Gradient Sensitivity .................................................................................... 38 Head to Head Sensitivity ............................................................................ 39 Two Dimensional Sensitivity....................................................................... 40
Data Grid Functions
41
Data Grid Overview.................................................................................... 41 RatingsCreating_a_Ratings_Formula_in_the_Data_Grid ............... 42 Increasing Utility CurveCreating_an_Increasing_Utility_Function_in_the_Data_Grid. 42 Decreasing Utility CurveCreating_a_Decreasing_Utility_Function_in_the_Data_Grid. 42 Step FunctionCreating_a_Step_Function_in_the_Data_Grid.......... 42 Direct (entry of priorities)Entering_Priorities_Directly_in_the_Data_Grid 42 When to Use the Data Grid ........................................................................ 42 Adding Alternatives to the Data Grid........................................................... 42 Deleting Alternatives from the Data Grid..................................................... 42 Selecting Alternatives for Extraction from the Data Grid to Alternatives Pane43 Copying a Formula from One Covering Objective to Another ...................... 43 None - Deleting a Formula Type................................................................. 43 Importing & Exporting to/from Data Grid ..................................................... 44 Importing from a Tab Delimited File............................................................ 44 To create a tab delimited file. ..................................................................... 44 Ratings ...................................................................................................... 45 Ratings Overview................................................................................. 45 Creating a Ratings Formula in the Data Grid ........................................ 45 Entering Ratings for Alternatives in the Data Grid................................. 45 Entering a Ratings with the Keyboard:........................................................ 46 Entering a Ratings with the Mouse: ............................................................ 46 Entering a Ratings with the KeypadEntering_a_Rating_with_a_Keypad ..... 46 Interpreting a Rating ............................................................................ 46 Step Function............................................................................................. 46 Step Function Overview ....................................................................... 46 Creating a Step Function in the Data Grid ............................................ 47 Entering Values for Step Intensities in the Data Grid ............................ 47 Entering a Value with the Keyboard:........................................................... 48 Entering a Step Value with a Keypad:......................................................... 48 Interpreting a Step Function................................................................. 48 Utilty Curves .............................................................................................. 48 Utility Curves Overview ........................................................................ 48 Increasing Utility CurveCreating_an_Increasing_Utility_Function_in_the_Data_Grid .................................................................................................................. 48 Decreasing Utility CurveCreating_a_Decreasing_Utility_Function_in_the_Data_Grid .................................................................................................................. 48
Creating an Increasing Utility Function in the Data Grid........................ 48 Creating a Decreasing Utility Function in the Data Grid ........................ 49 Entering a Value for an Increasing or Decreasing Utility Curve ............. 49 Entering Data for a Utility Curve with the Keyboard:.................................... 49 Entering Data for a Utility Curve with the Keypad........................................ 50 Interpreting an Increasing or Decreasing Utility Function ...................... 50 Direct - Entering Priorities Directly.............................................................. 50 Entering Priorities Directly in the Data Grid........................................... 50
Printing and Reports Menus - Expert Choice Menus
50 51
Printing and Reports .................................................................................. 50
Assessment Menu Commands................................................................... 51 Facilitator Menus........................................................................................ 51 File Menu Commands ................................................................................ 53 Formulas Grid Menu Commands................................................................ 53 Edit Commands............................................................................. 53 Go Menu Commands ................................................................................. 54 Help Menu ................................................................................................. 54 Pairwise Individual Menu Commands................................................... 55 Participants Table Commands.................................................................... 57 Sensitivity-Graphs Menu Commands.......................................................... 58 Commands Common to All Sensitivity Graphs............................................ 58 Synthesize Menu Commands..................................................................... 58 Tools Options Menu ................................................................................... 58 Edit Menu Commands................................................................................ 59 Data Grid Edit Menu Commands.......................................................... 59 ModelView Edit Commands ................................................................. 60 Participants Table Edit Menu Commands............................................. 61 Delete Participant - deletes a participant permanently from the model. ....... 62 Copy Judgments/Data to Existing Participants - copies judgments and data, from either the facilitator or a selected participant to other existing participant(s). ......... 62 View Menu Commands .............................................................................. 62 Data Grid View Menu Commands ........................................................ 62 ModelView View Menu Commands ...................................................... 62
Team and Enterprise Features
63
The Facilitator's Role.................................................................................. 63 Creating a Team Model / Group Enabling................................................... 64 About the Participants Table.......................................................... 65 Opening a Team Model.............................................................................. 65 To open a model as the facilitator:.............................................................. 65 To open a model as a participant:............................................................... 65 Color Scheme Used with Team (Group) Models......................................... 66 Converting a Team (Group Model) from Version 9.5................................... 66 File Structure ............................................................................................. 67 Receiver and Keypads used with Team Expert Choice............................... 67 Receiver and Keypad Hardware Overview ........................................... 67 What You Need to Do Before Connecting the Receiver. ............................. 67 Connecting the Radio Frequency Receiver................................................. 68 Programming the Keypads................................................................... 68 Determining the Current Internal Keypad Number ...................................... 68 Programming the Keypad so the * Key Behaves as an Invert Key .............. 69 Common Keypad Troubleshooting Questions....................................... 69 How the Hardware and Keypads are Activated..................................... 70
Activating the Hardware ............................................................................. 70 Activating the Keypads............................................................................... 70 How the Keypads Are Used ....................................................................... 70 Facilitator Menus Overview .................................................................. 70 Making Individual Judgments ..................................................................... 71 Entering Individuals Judgments and Data in a Group Model................. 71 Entering a Consensus Judgment ......................................................... 71 Using the Web, Internet or Intranet....................................................... 72 Making Individual Judgments (Pairwise Comparisons) On a Network or the Web ...................................................................................................... 72 Making Individual Judgments Using the Data Grid on a Network or the Web ...................................................................................................... 72 Using Keypads .................................................................................... 72 Making Individual Judgments (Pairwise Comparisons) With Keypads72 What the Facilitator Does. .......................................................................... 72 Verbal Judgments ...................................................................................... 72 Numerical Judgments ................................................................................ 72 Graphical Judgments ................................................................................. 72 Making Individual Judgments Using the Data Grid With Keypads ... 73 Three Ways to Combine Individuals Judgments ......................................... 73 Combining Judgments and/or Data from the Participants Table............ 73 Combining Individual Judgments from the ModelView .......................... 74 Combining Individuals Judgments from the Data Grid .......................... 75 Using Queries...................................................................................... 75 Creating a Query (Adding A Query)............................................................ 76 Deleting a Query........................................................................................ 76 Applying a Query ....................................................................................... 76 Combine Individuals Judgments................................................................. 77 Menus Specific to Group Enabled Models .................................................. 77
Web Capabilities
77
Creating a Web (Remote DSN) Model........................................................ 77 Accessing a Model Over the Web............................................................... 78
Appendix of Expert Choice Terms & Concepts
78
-A B- .......................................................................................................... 78 Absolute Measurement ........................................................................ 78 Active Alternatives ............................................................................... 78 Active Participants ............................................................................... 78 Alternatives.......................................................................................... 78 Assessment ......................................................................................... 79 Autoadvance........................................................................................ 79 Autoredraw ................................................................................... 79 Best Fit ................................................................................................ 79 Bottom Up Structuring.......................................................................... 79 -C D-.......................................................................................................... 79 Child Node........................................................................................... 79 ClusterView ......................................................................................... 79 Comparisons - Modes of ...................................................................... 79 Complete Hierarchy ............................................................................. 80 Covering Objective .............................................................................. 80 Criterion / Criteria................................................................................. 80 Distributive Synthesis........................................................................... 80 Data Grid............................................................................................. 80 Diagonal Pairwise ................................................................................ 80
- F G-......................................................................................................... 80 Formulas Grid...................................................................................... 80 Gap Analysis ....................................................................................... 80 Geometric Average.............................................................................. 81 Geometric Indicator ............................................................................. 81 Global Alternatives............................................................................... 81 Global Priority...................................................................................... 81 Goal Node ........................................................................................... 81 Grandchild ........................................................................................... 81 Graphical Comparison Mode................................................................ 81 - H I- .......................................................................................................... 81 Hierarchy............................................................................................. 81 Incomplete Hierarchy........................................................................... 81 Inconsistency Ratio.............................................................................. 82 Theoretical Information............................................................................... 82 Information Document.......................................................................... 82 Intensity Scales ................................................................................... 83 Invert ................................................................................................... 83 Ideal Synthesis .................................................................................... 83 -J L M N-.................................................................................................... 83 Judgment............................................................................................. 83 Local Priority........................................................................................ 83 ModelView........................................................................................... 83 Node ................................................................................................... 83 Note .................................................................................................... 84 Numerical Comparison Mode............................................................... 84 -O P R- ...................................................................................................... 84 Objective ............................................................................................. 84 Pairwise Comparisons / Paired Comparisons ....................................... 84 Parent Node ........................................................................................ 84 Plex ..................................................................................................... 84 Priority................................................................................................. 84 Redraw................................................................................................ 84 Relative Measurement ......................................................................... 85 Ratings ................................................................................................ 85 - S T- ......................................................................................................... 85 Sensitivity Analysis .............................................................................. 85 Sibling Node ........................................................................................ 85 Step Function ...................................................................................... 85 Structural Adjust .................................................................................. 85 Structuring ........................................................................................... 85 Sub-Objective (Sub-Criterion) .............................................................. 86 Synthesis............................................................................................. 86 TreeView ............................................................................................. 86 Top Down Structuring .......................................................................... 86 -U V W X Y Z- ............................................................................................ 86 Utility Curves ....................................................................................... 86 Verbal Comparison Mode .................................................................... 86 What-if................................................................................................. 86
Other Expert Choice Documentation Shortcut Keys View tab 87
86 87
Alternatives pane........................................................................... 87
TreeView and Alternatives panes................................................... 88
Calculation tab Open tab Save tab 88 89
88
General tab 89
Ideal Alternative Options................................................................ 89
Renaming Nodes in the ModelView's ClusterView
89
To rename a node: .............................................................................. 89 Entering a Step Value with a Keypad ......................................................... 89
Transformation - a Special Case Future Participants Table Edit What the Facilitator Does Using Keypads to Make Graphical Judgments Using Keypads to Make Numerical Judgments Synthesis Summary Tab Synthesize Summary or Details tabs Distributive or Ideal mode
90 90 90 91 92 93 93 93
Choosing a Mode of Synthesis............................................................. 93 Ideal Synthesis .............................................................................. 93 Distributive Synthesis .................................................................... 94
Numerical Representations of Verbal Judgments Commands Common to All Sensitivity Graphs Using Keypads to Make Verbal Judgments Examples and Explanations of Queries
94 94 95 96
Single queries:............................................................................... 96 Compound queries: ....................................................................... 96 Entering a Ratings with a Keypad:.............................................................. 97 Entering Data for a Utility Curve with the Keypad:....................................... 97
Entering a Priority with Keypads Selecting Keypad Options Using Keypads Anonymously Object Linking & Embedding
97 97 98 99
How to View or Execute the Linked to Embedded Documents.............. 99
Example One: How to Open an Embedded File. ............................ 99 Example Two: Another way to open an embedded file. ................ 100
Active Alternatives Global Alternatives
100 100
Introduction
Use this manual to learn about Expert Choice. The manual is organized in chapters and subchapters (shown as book icons). Before reading this manual, we recommend that you read the Quick Start Guide and/or The Tutorials.
The Getting Started / Creating a Model chapter in this help document provides steps to build your own model but doesn't provide as much instruction as either the Quick Start Guide or the Tutorials.
The second chapter explains Structuring and should be used to complement Lesson 2 of the Tutorials.
The Pairwise Comparison Process chapter describes how to make judgments (paired comparisons). The Synthesis chapter describes how to view the results of your paired comparisons while the Sensitivity Analyses chapter describes how to view and interpret your results in graphics format. Much of this information is also described in Lesson 1 of the Tutorials.
The Data Grid Functions chapter explains how to use the grid and describes Ratings, Step Functions, and Utility Curves. This chapter complements Lessons 3 and 4 of the Tutorials. The Printing and Reports chapter describes how to print information while using standard industry conventions. Expert Choice s Menus are outlined in the next chapter.
The next two chapters describe Expert Choice s group and web (Internet) capabilities found in the Team and Enterprise versions. These chapters parallel Lessons 5 & 6 of the Tutorials.
A comprehensive glossary is found in the last chapter.
Conventions
Menu commands are preceded by the word "select". For example: Select File, Open. Menu commands can also be accessed by typing or clicking with the mouse. Commands that can only be invoked with the mouse are preceded with the word "click". For example: Click on first row of the Data grid. "Press" is for a single letter or a combination of letters. For example: Press Ctrl-J. "Type" is used when you are required to enter data. Items that you need to enter are in bold. For example, Type Car1, or Type your name.
Getting Started / Building a Model in the TreeView ModelView Overview

When you start Expert Choice the first window that appears is a blank ModelView. The ModelView is divided into three major sections or panes.
The TreeView (the left pane) displays the hierarchy.
By default, nodes with children (objectives) are displayed next to yellow circles, and nodes with no children (covering objectives) are displayed next to black circles. If a node has children that have not been assessed, a red dot will appear in the center of the circle. When all objectives in the TreeView have been assessed, the circles are replaced by squares that graphically display the priority of each factor.
The Alternatives pane (top-right) shows the active alternatives.
The lower-left pane displays the Information Document for the current (selected) node.
Note: The appearance of the ModelView can be altered; to do this use the View menu commands.
Creating a File and Goal Description

To create a new file:
? ? ? Select File, New. Type a file name for your model. Select a drive/path designation, if necessary. Then press Enter. Type the goal description and press Enter.
An alternative way to create a new file is to click on the new file icon.
Note: Expert Choice creates a model with only one node (the goal) and displays it in the ModelView's TreeView.
To learn how to build an actual model, go to the QUICK START GUIDE. Also see Lessons 1 and 2 of the Tutorials.
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Adding the Objectives and Sub-objectives to ModelView's TreeView

To add an objective:
? ? ? ? Select the Goal node. Select Edit, Insert Child of Current Node. Type a descriptive objective and press Enter. When the new node appears, type the next objective and press Enter; or press Esc to stop inserting.
An alternative way to add objective: right-click on the Goal node and continue as described above.
Tip: Try to keep the number of nodes under each parent under nine.
Note: When you add objectives below the goal, the circle next to the goal will change from black to yellow indicating that other elements are below it. If a red dot appears in either colored circle this means judgments must be made. See: Pairwise Comparisons.
To add sub-objectives below an Objective:

? ? Select an objective that will have sub-objectives entered beneath it. Select Edit, Insert Child of Current Node and continue as described above.
To add an objective to an existing model:

? ? ? Select a node (an objective). To enter a node on the same level, select Edit, Insert Sibling of the Current Node, or To enter a node beneath the selected node, Edit, Insert Child of Current Node.
Renaming Nodes in the ModelView's TreeView

To rename a node:
? ? ? Select an objective in the TreeView to be renamed. Select Edit, Edit Node. Type the new name and press Enter.
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Alternatively, you can right-click on a node you wish to rename and then select Edit Node.
Deleting Nodes in the TreeView

To delete a node and all of its descendants in the TreeView:
? ? Select the node in the TreeView to be deleted. Select Edit, Delete Node or press the Delete key.
TrashCan
Trash receives nodes that have been deleted from the TreeView (objectives hierarchy). Once items are in the trash, they can be dragged and dropped back into the hierarchy.
To Open the TrashCan:

? Select View, TrashCan, or click the TrashCan button. Note: This button will only be visible when nodes are in trash.
To move nodes back into the TreeView (hierarchy):

? Drag and drop the node from the trash onto its new parent node. It will become the first child under the receiving node.
Copy Plex and Drag

To copy the current node and all of its descendants to the Trash Can: ? ? Select Edit, Copy Plex to TrashCan. Then, if desired, drag and drop the copied Plex from Trash to the receiving node.
Moving Nodes in the TreeView

You can move an objective and its descendants from one part of the hierarchy to another.
To move a node:
? Click and drag the node to be moved onto the destination node. The node will become the first child under the destination node. Tip: If you want the nodes to appear in alphabetical order, select the parent of the cluster and then select Edit, Sort Cluster. Tip: To rearrange nodes within an objective, drag each node within the cluster in
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reverse order of the way you want them to appear in the cluster and drop them, one at a time, on the parent node of the cluster.
Adding Alternatives to the ModelView

Alternatives can be added to the model from the ModelView using the Alternatives pane. ? Select Edit, Alternative, and then select Insert; alternatively right-click in the Alternative pane and then select Insert or just simply click the Alternative button. ? Type an alternative.
Note: Alternatives added from the ModelView are known as active alternatives and are simultaneously added to the Data Grid.
Alternatives can also added from the Data Grid.
Renaming Alternatives in the ModelView

? Select the alternative in the Alternatives window. ? Select Edit, Alternative, and then select Edit Alternative Name. Alternately right-click on an alternative and then select Edit Alternative Name. ? Type the new alternative name and press Enter.
Inactivating and Reactivating Alternatives

One or more of the active alternatives (those appearing in the Alternatives pane of the ModelView) can be made inactive. The alternatives will still be available on the Data Grid.
To inactivate alternatives from the Alternatives pane:

? ? Right-click on an alternative in the Alternative pane then a drop down list will be displayed. Alternatively you can select Edit, Alternative. Select either Inactivate or Inactivate All. Notice that the alternative will be removed from the Alternatives' pane (You will, however, still be able to see the inactive alternative(s) in the Data grid).
To inactivate alternatives from the Data Grid:

? Right-click on an active alternative to remove the check mark. (Active alternatives are check-marked). ? From the menu select Edit; then select Extract Selected to Hierarchy. This will place a new set of active alternatives in the Alternatives pane of the ModelView.
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To reactivate alternatives - only available from the Data Grid:

? ? Right-click on an inactive alternative, then it will become check-marked and repeat as necessary. Select Edit; then select Extract Selected to Hierarchy. This will place a new set of active alternatives in the Alternatives pane of the ModelView.
Adding Information Documents

Information Documents are used to document the decision-making process and can be created for each objective, alternative or paired comparison in the hierarchy. When used in a group setting they are primarily used as a way to communicate with participants and for presentation purposes. Typically information documents contain text (entered by you or a facilitator using either the Team or Enterprise group enabled versions), that may describe the goal, give additional information as to why particular objectives or sub-objectives were selected, and tell us how paired comparisons were made. Information Documents are rich text objects and can include Microsoft Office Files (Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Access), as well as other files that contain audio, pictures and video. Information documents can be created or viewed from the current node. When information exists the information icon on the toolbar is a red open book. gray (a closed book). If it does not exist then the icon is
In the ModelView, information documents for either the objectives or alternatives are displayed in the lower right-hand pane. ? ? ? To edit a document, select the node. Then click the Information icon. Alternatively select Edit, Information. Type the information and when done, click the Information icon to close.
When at any pairwise comparison window, information documents are displayed in separate windows. ? To view or create a document, click the book icon. Alternatively, select Edit, Information. And continue as described above. Note: All paired comparisons are made with respect to a parent node. For example, if you are making paired comparisons for an objective that has three sub-objectives; the information document displayed would be for the objective.
When at the Data Grid, information documents are displayed in separate windows. ? Select a covering objective column or select a node in the TreeView, or select an alternative. ? Click the Information icon to either create or display the document for that node. Alternatively, select Edit, Information.
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Type the information and when done, click the Information icon to close.
Dragging to Import Files to Information Documents:

When an information document is open you can drag other documents to it and/or create shortcuts to other files or programs. See Object Linking & Embedding.
Adding Notes
Notes can be entered and viewed for elements in the hierarchy, alternatives, individual paired comparisons, and cells in the Data Grid as well as covering objectives. When working with group models, each participant can enter their own notes to express their views, rationale, concerns and the like about the different parts of the decision process. A Note can only be viewed by the person who made it as well as the facilitator. A participant note could be merged in Information document.
If a note exists for the current node or cell in the Data Grid, the bottom portion of the Note Icon will be yellow instead of completely black. When a Note window is open, you can drag other documents to it and/or create shortcuts to other files or programs.
In the ModelView, a note is displayed for either an objective or alternative as a separate window. ? ? ? To create or edit a note, select the node. Then click the Note icon. Alternatively select Edit, Note. Type your note and when done, click the Note icon to close.
When at any pairwise comparison window, a note for the current comparison is displayed as a separate window. ? Select the paired comparison.
? To view or create a note for the paired comparison, click the icon. Alternatively select Edit, Note. ? Type your note and when done, click the Note icon to close.
Note: All paired comparisons are made with respect to a parent node. For example, if you are making paired comparisons for an objective that has three sub-objectives; the Note displayed would be for the objective.
When at the Data Grid, note is displayed for the current cell as a separate window. ? ? Note. Select a cell in the Data Grid. Click the Note icon to either create or display a note. Alternatively, select Edit,
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Type your note and when done, click the Note icon to close.
To link or embed other documents see object linking and embedding.
Displaying Priorities in ModelView

In the ModelView's TreeView and Alternatives panes, the default priorities will be displayed after paired comparisons are made; or after priorities are entered directly or after alternatives are extracted from the Data Grid. The default is to display Local Priority.
To change the priority display while working with the current model: ? ? Select View; then select Priorities Choose one: Global, Local, Both, or None.
See Tools, Options, View to disable the display of priorities in all your models.
Displaying the Current Nodes Children in the Alternatives Pane

At times you may desire to display the current node s children and their derived priorities in the alternatives pane instead of alternatives. To do this: ? ? In the TreeView, select a node that has children. Select View, View Children of the Current Node. Alternatively, right-click on the alternatives' pane and then select View Children of the Current Node. Note: If the children are currently displayed in the Alternatives pane then selecting View, View Alternatives will display both the alternatives and their priorities.
See Tools, Options, View to change the default display from alternatives to children of the current node in all your models.
Deleting an Information Document or Note

? ? ? ? First select the node or cell whose Information Document or Note is to be deleted. Click either the Information Document or Note icon. From the information or note window, select File, New and then close the window. This will erase the contents of the Information Document or Note. If you want to abandon all changes to an Information Document or Note during the current session, select File, Abandon Changes.
Undo
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Undo is used to undo a judgment when making paired comparisons or when entering data on the data grid. It can also undo changes when editing an Information Document or a Note.
To Undo the Last Pairwise Comparison:

? From any pairwise comparison window when making judgments, select Edit, then select Undo.
To Undo the Last judgment or Data Value Entered in the Data Grid:
? When making judgments in the Data Grid, select Edit, then select Undo.
To Undo - Information Documents or Notes:

? When editing either select Edit, then select Undo. Tip: Use the standard windows keys to highlight keystrokes then press the Delete key to remove them. Tip: If you want to abandon all changes to an Information Document or Note during the current session, select File, Abandon Changes.
Revert
Revert is used to go back to a previous version of the database. Use Revert when you decide not to continue working with the changes just made to the model (during the current session). Note: This feature is not available to participants in a group model. The facilitator can't use Revert while the model is on a network.
To revert from either the ModelView, Data or Formula Grids: ? ? ? Select Edit, Revert. A list of showing versions of the current model, if available, will be displayed. Double-click on the version of the model you want to revert to. Warning: Because revert goes back to a previous version of the database, that contains EVERYTHING, for ALL people, the facilitator MUST modify the model only when participants are not accessing the model.
Opening a Model
To open another model:
? From the ModelView, Data or Formula Grids select File, Open and select a model from the Open Dialogue box.
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Or alternatively, select File and then select one of the last four models previously opened from the bottom portion of the File drop-down list. ? If a model is currently open and has not been saved since changes were made: o o o Select Yes to save your changes and open another model. Select Cancel to abandon the save and open request. Select No not to save your changes. Then the next time you open this model the last saved version will be displayed.
Converting to an Incomplete Hierarchy

This command changes the structure of the model placing the active alternatives from the Alternatives Pane under the covering objectives in the TreeView. See Complete Hierarchy.
? ?
Select File Select Convert to Incomplete Hierarchy
Warning: Since you will be changing the structure of your model, it is highly recommended that you make a copy of your model using the File, SaveAs command before converting.
Rollup
It is possible to 'rollup' sub-nodes between a selected node and the alternatives using the ModelView menu command Edit Rollup. This command removes all rolled up nodes from the model and places them in the Trash Can where they can be dragged/dropped back into the model. Note: To roll up you must have at a minimum two levels of objectives and alternatives, or three levels of nodes in the TreeView.
The Rollup command has two subcommands: ? ? Current Node only Current Node and All Peers. Rolls up all the peers (siblings) of the current node as well as the current node itself. Prior to executing the rollup, you will be prompted to save the model if changes have been made since the last save. If the model is saved prior to the rollup then the rollup can be undone by using the Edit Revert.
Tip: Rolling up from a node above the lowest level nodes or alternatives has no effect.
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Converting from Version 9.5

EC2000 will convert your 9.5 models to EC2000 Access data base models. To do this: ? From Expert Choice 2000, select File, Open; then navigate to and select the 9.5 model. Note: Expert Choice 2000 will combine all the 9.5 files into one database. Converting a Ratings Model If you convert a Ratings model (that has a wk1 file as one its components) then the Ratings intensities in the lowest level of the hierarchy will be converted to the scales used in the Data Grid. (For more information Expert Choice 2000 and Ratings see the Data Grid and Ratings chapters.)
File Structure
Expert Choice 2000 files have the extension of .AHP. There is only one file per model and it structure based Microsoft's Access. Expert Choice's Professional and Team versions use Access for the database structure, while Enterprise version uses Sequel.
Structuring - Another Way to Build A Model Top Down or Bottom Up

Use this information to determine which process to use. Top Down Structuring is best used when you know more about the objectives than the alternatives.
Bottom up Structuring is best suited for situations where the alternatives are better understood than the objectives. The pros and cons of the alternatives are used to help identify the objectives that can then be clustered into groups.
First Create a File (Model) and Goal Description

To create a new file:
? ? ? Select File, New. Type a file name for your model. Select a drive/path designation, if necessary. Then press Enter. Type the goal description and press Enter.
An alternative way to create a new file is to click on the new file icon.
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Note: Expert Choice creates a model with only one node (the goal) and displays it in the ModelView's TreeView.
Enable Structuring
Structuring is another approach to building a model. You can either build your model using the either the Top-down or Bottom-up approach.
For a Newly Created Model with Only a Goal Node:

? ? ? Select Tools, Options; then select the General tab. From the Structuring box, select the Enable button; then select Close. From the ModelView menu, select View, then select the ClusterView pane; or click the ClusterView button.
For Existing Models:

? If the ClusterView icon is not displayed next to the TreeView icon in the ModelView, follow the steps described above.
Now build your model using either Top-down approach or Bottom-up approach.
Top Down Structuring

Adding Objectives and Sub-objectives to ClusterView
To add objective (or sub-objective) to the ClusterView:
? ? Click the Objective / Criterion / Group button. Type a descriptive objective and press Enter.
Alternatively, click and drag a box in the ClusterView pane and when the objective pop-up box is displayed type the description.
Note: When adding objectives or sub-objectives we do not distinguish between them until a subobjective is dropped onto its parent.
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To group sub-objectives within the ClusterView:

? Click, drag and drop one objective into another. Then the dragged and dropped node will become a sub-objective of the destination node.
Moving Nodes in the ClusterView

Click, drag and drop one objective or a cluster onto another. Then the dragged and dropped node or cluster will become a sub-objective or cluster of the destination node.
Deleting Nodes in the ModelView's ClusterView

To delete a node and all of its descendants in the ClusterView:
? ? Select the node in the ClusterView to be deleted. Press the Delete key. Note: The node and all of its descendants will be removed from the hierarchy and placed in the Trash Can. Deleted nodes can be dragged and dropped back into the hierarchy. See: Moving Nodes in the TreeView.
Adding Alternatives in Top Down Structuring

Alternatives can be added to the model from the ModelView using the Alternatives pane. ? Select Edit, Alternative, and then select Insert; alternatively right-click in the Alternative pane and then select Insert or just simply click the Alternative button. ? Type a description for the alternative.
Finish Top Down Structuring

Once objectives and sub-objectives as well as the alternatives have been added to your model view the hierarchy. 1. 2. Select the TreeView button. Review the hierarchy to see if anything is missing. If something is missing return to ClusterView pane and enter objectives, or enter objectives and alternatives directly in the ModelView by using the Edit command.
Now you are ready to make paired comparisons.
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Bottom Up Structuring
Adding Alternatives in Bottom Up Structuring
Alternatives can be added to the model from the ModelView using the Alternatives pane. ? Select Edit, Alternative, and then select Insert; alternatively right-click in the Alternative pane and then select Insert or just simply click the Alternative button. ? Type a description for the alternative.
Adding Pros and Cons for Each Alternative

? Click the Pro/Con button. Alternatively, select View; then select Alternative Pro/Con pane.
The Pro/Con pane with three buttons will appear in the ModelView window. Notice the highlighted alternative in the Alternatives pane also appears as the title bar. ? Click either the Add Pro or Add Con button to enter a pro or con for the highlighted alternative. Note: The Pros are in blue while the Cons are magenta. ? ? ? If you would like to add pros and/or cons for a different alternative simply click on another alternative to make it the current alternative. Repeat this process for all alternatives. When done view a list of all pros and cons.
Tip: Some alternatives will have the same pros or cons; it is not necessary to add them to each alternative s pro/con window.
View the List of All Pros and Cons

? ? Use the pro/con list to convert pros and cons to objectives using our patented process. From the menu, select View; then select the All Pros/Cons pane. Another way to see this is to click the All Pros/Cons button. Note: The Pros are in blue while the Cons are magenta.
In Bottom-up Structuring start building a hierarchy by dragging and dropping (as well as redefining) a pro or a con (from the All Pros/Cons pane) to the TreeView.
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Building the Hierarchy

? ? Start at the top of the list of all pros and cons. Drag either a pro or a con into the TreeView pane. A dialogue box will appear with the pro or con definition. Now you have opportunity to redefine the wording of either the pro or con as an objective. For example a pro for a car might be large trunk. After re-definition the objective would be Trunk - large carrying capacity. Tip: Since alternatives are evaluated based on their preference with respect to objectives, the wording for cons must almost always be changed to state the objective (or objectives) that the con points to . For example, the con, expensive, pointsto low cost as an objective. ? After either the pro or con is dragged to the TreeView notice that it is now grayed out in the All Pros/Cons List to indicate that is was already converted to an objective. Note: Gray can be removed from a pro or con by clicking. Tip: Looking at the list of pros and cons, you can see that some pros and cons could be repeated more than once because they are associated with more than one alternative; if this is the case, you would not need to convert repeats. Those pros and cons not used in the conversion process will remain white. On the other hand, a single pro or con may pointto several objectives and can be dragged and dropped numerous times. For example, a pro of sizefor a large car may point to the following objectives: Comfort; Carrying capacity; Safety; Fuel Economy; Ease of Parking. ? Repeat the above steps until the hierarchy of objectives is complete.
Finish Button Up Structuring

? ? Select the Alts/Children/InfoDocs button. {bmc alt_button.bmp} Then the alternatives will replace the list of all pros and cons. Review the hierarchy to see if anything is missing. If items are missing, you can return to structuring. Alternatively, enter objectives and alternatives directly into the TreeView using the Edit command.
Now you are ready to make paired comparisons.
Pairwise Comparison Process - Making Judgments Making Paired Comparisons

Pairwise comparisons are made from the ModelView in one of the following ways:
From the ModelView, select Assessment, Pairwise. One of the three pairwise comparison windows will be displayed (Verbal is the default).
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To select another window, click one of the tabs: Numerical Graphical.
, Verbal
, or
Note: If some comparisons have been previously made then the Assessment tabs will be displayed in the ModelView.
Making Verbal Judgments
Making Numerical Judgments
Making Graphical Judgments
Structural Adjust
Examining and Improving Inconsistency
Also see the Assessment Menu Commands.
Making Verbal Judgments

The Verbal Comparisons window is divided into two sections. Verbal judgments are made in the top pane. Two elements are compared with respect to their parent. What makes Verbal comparison unique is that words are used to represent the magnitude of the scale. The slider bar on the right side of the pane is used to indicate which element is preferred and the strength of that preference is represented by a corresponding word. The two opposing sides of the scale represent each element being compared.
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The comparison matrix is displayed in the lower pane. The numerical representations of the verbal judgments are displayed here as numbers from 1 to 9. If the row element (on the left) is preferred, then the judgment is displayed in black. If the column element is preferred, then the judgment is "inverted" and displayed in red. When enough judgments have been made to calculate priorities, they will also be displayed as bar graphs that overlay the row elements.
Judgments can be made any of the following ways:

? ? ? Drag the slider bar with the mouse. Click on a statement (i.e. Moderate, Strong) next to the bar (or between two statements). Right-click on a statement to automatically advance to the next comparison. This is the fastest way!
To advance to the next judgment:

Expert Choice is automatically configured to advance to the next judgment. You can change this with the Tools, Options menu; see the Calculation tab. ? If Autoadvance is off, to advance to the next judgment click on a cell in the comparison matrix.
To invert a judgment (to select the other element in the comparison)

? Click the Invert icon to select the other side of the comparison scale.
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To enter judgments directly in the comparison matrix:

? Click on the cell representing the comparison you want to judge and type a number from 1 to 9; see the numerical representations of verbal judgments. When using this option it is highly recommended that you use the Numerical mode since you are probably saying that you prefer, for example, Apples to Oranges 3 times more with respect to Craving.
Also see: the Assessment Menu Commands.
Making Numerical Judgments

The Numerical Comparison Window is divided into two sections. Numerical judgments are made in the top pane. Two elements are compared with respect to their parent using a numerical scale. The slider bar is used to indicate which judgment is preferred and the strength of that preference. The two opposing sides of the scale represent each element being compared.
The comparison matrix is displayed in the lower pane. The numerical equivalents of the judgments are displayed here as numbers from 1 to 9. If the row element (on the left) is preferred, then the judgment is displayed in black. If the column element is preferred, then the judgment is "inverted" and displayed in red. When enough judgments have been made to calculate priorities, they will also be displayed as bar graphs that overlay the row elements.

? ? ? Drag the slider bar with the mouse. Click on a number above the bar. Right-click on a number to automatically advance to the next comparison. This is the fastest way!

Expert Choice is automatically configured to advance to the next judgment. You can change this with the Tools, Options menu; see the Calculation tab. ? If Autoadvance is off, to advance to the next judgment click on a cell in the comparison matrix.
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Notice that as you make judgments, the numerical equivalents of your judgments will appear in the comparison matrix.
To invert a judgment (to select the other element in the comparison)

? Click the Invert icon to select the other side of the comparison scale.

? Click on the cell representing the comparison you want to judge and type a number from 1 to 9.
Making Graphical Judgments

The Graphical Comparison view is divided into two sections: Graphical judgments are made in the top pane. Two elements are compared with respect to their parent with bar graphs. The lengths of the bars indicate the relative dominance of the elements. If they are equal length, then the elements are equally important. If one bar is twice as long as the other, then it is twice as important. Relative dominance is also represented with a pie chart on the right side of the pane.
The comparison matrix is displayed in the lower pane. The numerical representations of the graphical judgments are displayed here as numbers. If the row element (on the left) is preferred, then the judgment is displayed in black. If the column element is preferred, then the judgment is "inverted" and displayed in red. When enough judgments have been made to calculate priorities, they will also be displayed as bar graphs that overlay the row elements.

? Drag either the blue or red bar with the mouse.
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Right-drag one of the bars to automatically advance to the next comparison.

Expert Choice is automatically configured to advance to the next judgment. You can change this with the Tools, Options menu; see the Calculation tab. ? If Autoadvance is off, to advance to the next judgment click on a cell in the comparison matrix. Notice that as you make judgments, the numerical representation of your graphical judgments will appear in the comparison matrix.
To invert a judgment (to select the other bar in the comparison)

? Click the Invert icon to select the other bar.

? Click on the cell in the matrix representing the comparison you want to judge and type a number from 1 to 99. When using this option it is highly recommended that you use the Numerical mode since you are probably saying that you prefer, for example, Apples to Oranges 3 times more with respect to Carving.
Direct Entry of Priorities

You can directly assign priorities without having to make paired comparisons. This method is not recommended because it is not as accurate or justifiable.
To directly assign weights:

? ? ? ? ? Click on any of the three pairwise comparison tabs. Select Assessment Direct. Enter a value between zero and one for each objective, or drag a bar using the column to the right of "Value'. When done press Esc. When asked to Record Judgments, select Yes.
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Tip: Assume the length of the bars represent a factor's importance relative to the others. For example, if the bar for Price is twice as long as the bar for Quality, then Price is considered twice as important. If the lengths of the bars are equal, then the factors are of equal importance.
Making Diagonal Pairwise Judgments

The default order when making pairwise comparisons is sequential order. This can be changed to either random or diagonal. Random randomly determines the next judgment while Diagonal takes you down the diagonal of the matrix. Use Diagonal Pairwise to reduce the number of comparisons and length of time when making paired comparisons. ? ? ? ? ? From the menu select Tools, Options, Calculation. In the Judgment Order box select Diagonal. Then select Close. Now make your paired comparisons. After making the first row of diagonal judgments click the Calculate button. Do this, when the icon turns from red to yellow.
See Also: Diagonal Pairwise
Making a Factor Dormant from the Pairwise Comparison Matrix

When a factor (objective, sub-objective or alternative) is made dormant it is excluded from the pairwise comparison process.
From any pairwise comparison window: ? Press Ctrl and click a factor name (objective or alternative located in the rows of the matrix). The factor row selected will be blocked. In addition, any comparison made (or to be made) relating to that factor in the matrix will also be blocked. By blocked we mean the paired comparison(s) to be made or previously made will not be included in the prioritization process.
To reactivate a factor:
? Press Ctrl and click a factor name.
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Structural Adjust
Structural Adjust, available from any of the paired comparison modes, is used to adjust a set of priorities based on the number of the current node's grandchildren. Turning on Structural Adjust for a node weights the priorities of its children by their respective proportions to all the grandchildren. For example, if a node has two children A and B, and A has 4 children and B has 2 children, then the node has 6 grandchildren in all and structural adjusting multiplies A's priority by 4/6 and B's by 2/6. Thus the global priorities of A's children are not diluted simply because they belong to a large family. Think of a grandparent wanting to leave money equally to grandchildren. Four sixths of the money must go to A's children and two sixths to B's children. This feature should be used when you wish to prevent the dilution of the global weight of a grandchild simply because it has many siblings. It is rarely necessary to use Structural Adjust because even though an element, for example, is divided into many sub-elements, its full weight is distributed among them. When the alternatives are then compared under each of those subelements, the full weight of the element is distributed on down to the alternatives. A case where you would want to use structural adjust would be if the sets of alternatives in the bottom level do not have the same alternatives in each group. In this case we recommend that you convert your model to an Incomplete Hierarchy
To turn Structural Adjust on or off, click the Structural adjust button. on, the bar graphs of the objectives in the matrix will turn aqua.
. When
Examining and Improving Inconsistency

The Inconsistency menu, available from any of the pairwise assessment windows, provides a convenient way to locate any inconsistencies among a set of pairwise judgments. The Inconsistency Ratio is located in the lowest left-hand cell of the first column of the matrix. A ratio of 0.10 or less is considered acceptable. To learn how inconsistency is computed see Understanding Inconsistency
To view the most inconsistent judgment:

? ? From any comparison mode, select the Inconsistency From the pull-down list, select 1st Selecting 1st moves the cursor to the most inconsistent judgment in the set of judgments being compared; selecting 2nd moves to the second most inconsistent judgment and so on.
To lower the Inconsistency Ratio for a set of judgments you can either:
? From the 1st most inconsistent judgment (and so on) you can change the judgment by making a new paired comparison, or
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Select Inconsistency and then select Best Fit. Alternatively, right-click on any cell in the matrix to see that cell s best fit. Best Fit (displayed above the first factor row in the matrix) shows the judgment for the current cell that would best improve your consistency. If the Best fit is displayed in red then the judgment suggested when entered must be inverted, element. making the column element preferred to the row
Note: If the comparison window is either Verbal or Graphical then the Best Fit shown is a numerical representation of either the Verbal or Graphical judgment. Tip: Do not enter the suggested Best Fit judgment unless you believe it to be true. Enter only a judgment that represents your best understanding and knowledge. ? After changing a judgment the new Inconsistency Ratio will be displayed. There is one exception, if you deferred automatic calculation of the priorities with using the Tools, Options, Calculations command, you must click the Calculate Icon or the new inconsistency will not be displayed.
Understanding Inconsistency
Using the Assessment Pairwise command, Best Fit, you can request suggestions for reducing inconsistency. However, it is important to note that the methodology does not preclude inconsistencies in judgments. On the contrary, many decisions must be made while recognizing inconsistencies that exist in the real world. The conscious mind constantly attempts to understand what is sensed and perceived by relating it all together in some coherent way. What do we mean by coherent? Let us illustrate with an example. If you were to say that A>B, B>C and C>A, you have been inconsistent. Consistency of judgment follows this simple transitive property. But we are very seldom perfectly consistent in making comparative judgments, particularly when we deal with intangibles that have no scales of measurement. And, we should not expect to be totally consistent. The real world often lacks consistency, and we must be able to reflect that in our models. For example, Team A can beat Team B, and Team B can beat Team C, yet Team C might then beat Team A. Expert Choice provides a measure of your logical rationality, called the Inconsistency Ratio, but does not force you to be consistent. The Inconsistency Ratio is calculated for each set of judgments. It is important to emphasize that the objective is to make "good" decisions, not to minimize the Inconsistency Ratio. Good decisions are most often based on consistent judgments, but the reverse is not necessarily true. It is easy to make perfectly consistent judgments that are nonsensical and result in terrible decisions. When the Inconsistency Ratio is zero we have complete consistency; when it is greater than zero there is some inconsistency. The larger the value of the Inconsistency Ration the more inconsistent the judgments. If it is 0.10 or less the inconsistency is generally considered tolerable. If the Inconsistency Ratio is considerably more than 0.10 (and certainly if it is as high as 0.20), then a re-examination of our judgments is probably in order. The degree of inconsistency that indicates a "significant" problem depends, of course, on the specific situation where the model is applied. The number 0.10 is given as a general guideline. If we demanded perfect consistency we would find it difficult to grow and/or to learn new things. When we integrate new experiences into our consciousness, previous relationships may change and some consistency is lost. As long as there is enough consistency to maintain coherence among the objects of our experience, the consistency need not be perfect. It is useful to remember that most new ideas that affect our lives tend to cause us to rearrange some of our preferences, thus making us inconsistent with our previous commitments. If we were to program ourselves never to change our minds, we would be afraid to accept new ideas.
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We are able to make judgments, which serve us better if they are admissible in some subjective corridors between tolerable inconsistency and perfect consistency. Thus, while consistency is a concern, without some inconsistency we would not grow by taking on additional information and readjusting our viewpoints. We may say that the intensity of our concern with consistency and inconsistency differ by an order of magnitude. This means that if we were to divide a unit of priorities among the two, consistency would be about 0.90 and inconsistency would be about 0.10. The ratio of the two is nearly an order of magnitude. To measure the inconsistency of all the judgments made in the decision hierarchy, we take the inconsistency value of each set of comparisons and multiply it by the priority of the element with respect to which these comparisons are made, and add for all the elements. This gives a single overall weighted number. To decide how acceptable this number is, we form a ratio with a similar number obtained by multiplying the corresponding random inconsistency value for an equal number of comparisons by the priority of the elements, and again add over each attribute. The resulting ratio should be 0.10 or less.
To lean how to examine and improve inconsistency see Examining and Improving Inconsistency.
Importing & Exporting to/from any Pairwise Window

Judgments/data can be exported from Expert Choice to Excel where the data can be modified or entered and then re-imported to any Assessment window. The Preferred Method: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. From any Expert Choice Assessment Pairwise window select Edit Copy to Clipboard. From Excel use the Edit Paste command to import the extracted data. From Excel select Insert, Name, Define and then type a range name such as X. This marks the range to be pasted back into Expert Choice. Modify spreadsheet data or enter judgments. From Excel select Edit, Go To and select the range defined in step 3. From Excel select Edit Paste (to the clipboard). Return to the Expert Choice Assessment window and select Edit Copy from the Clipboard. Note: You must enter valid data in your spreadsheet. You may enter whole or fractional numbers. Negative numbers indicate that the judgment or data is inverted (column element is preferred to the row element). Tip: Backup your database by selecting the File SaveAs before cutting and pasting. You can also use the following methods to import data into an Assessment window.
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Importing Only the Upper Portion of the Matrix

In the above method, we export and import the factors (objectives or alternatives) used in the paired comparisons. In this method we only import the paired comparisons. You must know what the matrix looks like. 1. 2. 3. In Excel enter values for the upper portion of the matrix. Select the range and then select Edit Copy (to the clipboard). Go to the desired Assessment Pairwise window and select Edit, Paste to Clipboard.
Importing a Row Vector

This method only imports the paired comparisons. 1. 2. 3. Type a data to be imported in consecutive cells in a row. Select the row range; then select Edit Copy (to the clipboard). Go to the desired Assessment Pairwise window and select Edit, Paste to Clipboard.
Importing a Column Vector

This method only imports the paired comparisons. 1. 2. 3. Type a data to be imported in consecutive cells in a column. Select the column range; then select Edit Copy (to the clipboard). Go to the desired Assessment Pairwise window and select Edit, Paste to Clipboard.
Synthesis Synthesis Overview

Synthesis is the process of weighting and combining priorities throughout the model after judgments are made to yield the final result. Global priorities are obtained for nodes throughout the model by applying each node's local priority and its parent's global priority. The global priorities for each alternative are then summed to yield overall or synthesized priorities. The most preferred alternative is the one with the highest priority. Your answer is presented in the form of a bar graph of the overall priorities of the alternatives. Your best choice is the alternative with the longest bar. See: Synthesize Menu Commands. You can select either the Ideal or the Distributive mode to synthesize your model. This will not change the model in any way, and you can switch back and forth between the two nodes. In general, the priorities from either mode are within a few percentage points of each other. After the synthesis is performed and you have your answer you may wish to do sensitivity analyses to determine how sensitive the results are to changes in the priorities of the objectives.
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Synthesizing Group Judgments

When using our group-enabled systems (Team or Enterprise), all active participants' judgments are combined, using ModelView's Edit command Combine Participants Judgments/Data. Then the facilitator can synthesize the combined grouping.
Synthesizing from the Data Grid

Synthesis is not used for Data Grid models as the overall weight for an alternative is determined from the Total column of the grid. Since these weights may be interpreted as performance measures the weights of the alternatives are considered the results. An easy way to read the results is to sort on the Total Score column; then you will not only see the weights but the alternative's rankings. Optionally, you can fine-tune the results of the Data Grid by making paired comparisons on sets of selected alternatives that ranked very close to each other. To do this, mark and extract selected alternatives in groups of nine. Then you could make paired comparisons, synthesize to get the results and view sensitivity graphs. See: Data Grid Edit Menu Commands
How to Synthesize
? ? From the ModelView's TreeView, select either the Goal Node or an objective. From the menu select Synthesize. The default mode of the synthesis is Ideal to change this select Distributive The default display is Summary, to change this select the Details tab.
Selecting Synthesis Type

The default mode is Ideal. To change to the synthesis type to distributive: ? ? ? ? From the ModelView, select Synthesize, With Respect to Goal Select Distributive. (If Distributive is selected select Ideal).
Ideal Synthesis Distributive Synthesis
Senstivity-Graphs Sensitivity Analysis

The purpose of our sensitivity analyses is to graphically see how the alternatives change with respect to the importance of the objectives or sub-objectives. There are five types of analyses. Each sensitivity analysis can be performed from the Goal or from a selected objective or subobjective. In all cases, there must be at least two levels below the selected node. These levels can be comprised of at least one level of objectives and alternatives or two levels of only objectives. ? ? From the ModelView's TreeView, click on either the Goal node or an objective. Select Sensitivity-Graphs.
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Select one of the options.
If you are at the Goal, you will see how sensitivity the alternatives are to change with respect to the first level objectives. If you are not at the Goal node, you will be asked: "Sensitivity with respect to Current Node or Goal?" ? If you select Yes, then the priorities of the alternatives are with respect the current node. It is as if the other portions of the model did not exist. ? If you select No, then the priorities of the alternatives are with respect to the goal (the entire model). With this option, you see the variability of the alternatives with respect to the current node. Note: The results of the sensitivity analysis graphs will differ depending on the type of synthesis selected: Ideal (the default) or Distributive. The current type is shown in the status bar at the bottom of each graph. See: Selecting Synthesis Type
PerformancePerformance_Sensitivity DynamicDynamic_Sensitivity GradientGradient_Sensitivity Head to HeadHead_to_Head_Sensitivity Two DimensionalTwo_Dimensional_Sensitivity
Note: Graphs can also be accessed from other graphs by clicking the appropriate icon on the button bar.
Performance Sensitivity
The Performance graph displays how the alternatives perform with respect to all objectives as well as overall. It can be accessed from the ModelView's menu by selecting Sensitivity-Graphs and then selecting Performance.
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Use the "left y-axis" to read each objective's priority. Use the "right y-axis" to read the alternative priorities with respect to each objective. The Performance graph is also dynamic, so you can temporarily alter the relationship between the alternatives and their objectives by dragging the objective bars up or down. Note: The lines connecting the alternatives from one objective to another have no meaning; they are included to help your find where a particular alternative lies as you move from one objective to another.
See Commands Common to All Sensitivity Graphs
There are two additional Options commands that are specific to the Performance Sensitivity. ? ? ? Patterns changes how the alternative lines are displayed - from solid to dashed and vice versa. Overlap Overlap is a switch that permits or disables the overlapping of alternatives' labels. Sort/Unsort sorts in order of priority.
Dynamic Sensitivity
Dynamic Sensitivity analysis is used to dynamically change the priorities of the objectives to determine how these changes affect the priorities of the alternative choices.
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It can be accessed from the ModelView's menu by selecting Sensitivity-Graphs and then selecting Dynamic.
By dragging the objective's priorities back and forth in the left column, the priorities of the alternatives will change in the right column. If you think an objective might be more or less important than originally indicated, drag that objective's bar to the right or left to increase or decrease the objective's priority and see the impact on alternatives. For example, as the priority of one objective increases (by dragging the bar to the right), the priorities of the remaining objectives decrease in proportion to their original priorities, and the priorities of the alternatives are recalculated. See Commands Common to All Sensitivity Graphs
There is one additional Options command that is specific to the Dynamic Sensitivity. ? Components - is a switch that changes the presentation of the objectives and alternatives bars. The default setting displays mono-colored solid bars. If Components is turned on then the graph shows the breakdown of each of the objective's contribution to the priorities of each of the alternatives. In other words, Components shows each alternative's share of the different objectives.
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Gradient Sensitivity
This graph shows the alternatives priorities with respect to one objective at a time. It can be accessed from the ModelView's menu by selecting Sensitivity-Graphs and then selecting Gradient.
The vertical red line represents the priority of the selected objective and is read from the X-Axis intersection. The priorities for the alternatives are read from the Y-Axis; it is determined by the intersection of the alternative's line with the objective's (vertical) priority line. To change an objective's priority, drag the red bar to either the left or right; then a blue bar showing the new objective's priority will be displayed. The Gradient Sensitivity shows "key tradeoffs" when two or more alternatives intersect each other. This is even more important if the intersection is close to the objectives priority.
Tip: When all the alternatives never intersect each other, increasing the objective's priority will have no effect. See Commands Common to All Sensitivity Graphs
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There are two additional Options commands that are specific to the Gradient Sensitivity. ? ? Patterns - changes how the alternative lines are displayed - from solid to dashed and vice versa. Overlap - Overlap is a switch that permits or disables the overlapping of alternatives' labels. There is also an X-Axis command that is used to select another objective.
Head to Head Sensitivity

It shows how two alternatives compare to one another against the objectives in a decision. It can be accessed from the ModelView's menu by selecting Sensitivity-Graphs and then selecting Head to Head. One alternative is listed on the left side of the graph and the other is listed on the right. The alternative on the left is fixed, while selecting a different tab on the graph can vary the alternative on the right. Down the middle of the graph are listed the objectives in the decision. If the lefthand alternative is preferred to the right-hand alternative with respect to an objective, a horizontal bar is displayed towards the left. If the right-hand alternative is better, the horizontal bar will be on the right. If the two choices are equal, no bar is displayed. The overall result is displayed at the bottom of the graph and shows the overall percentage that one alternative is better than the other; this is the composite difference. The overall priority can either be shown based on the objective weights (typical) or un-weighted.
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See Commands Common to All Sensitivity Graphs
There is one additional Options Command ? ? Weighted - displays a composite result that takes the objective priorities into account. The un-weighted result displays the composite result as if the objectives have equal priorities. The caption at the bottom of the graph tells you whether you are viewing a weighted or un-weighted result. The Head to Head command is used to change the fixed alternative on the left side of the graph.
Two Dimensional Sensitivity

This sensitivity graph shows how well the alternatives perform with respect to any two objectives. It can be accessed from the ModelView's menu by selecting Sensitivity-Graphs and then selecting 2-D.
One objective is represented on the X Axis and another on the Y Axis. The circles represent the alternatives. The area of the 2D plot is divided into quadrants. The most favorable alternatives as defined by the objectives and judgments in your model will be shown in the upper right quadrant (the closer to the upper right hand corner the better) while, conversely, the least favorable alternatives will be shown in the lower left quadrant. Alternatives located in the upper left and lower right quadrants indicate key tradeoffs where there is conflict between the two objectives. See Commands Common to All Sensitivity Graphs
There is one additional Options command.
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Projection - is used to turn on and off the projection of alternatives. When on, projection not only shows how preferable the alternatives are with respect to the two selected objectives but it shows a composite projection line indicating the preference of each alternative taking into account all the objectives' priorities. The farther to the right on the line, the better the alternative. Note: You can drag a composite projection line down to see what would change if the X-Axis objective became more important. Conversely, dragging the projection line up will increase the importance of the Y-Axis.
There are two menu commands to select objectives for the X Axis and Y Axis.
Data Grid Functions Data Grid Overview

The Data Grid contains data about the decision alternatives with respect to the covering objectives of the decision hierarchy. The alternatives appear in the rows of the Data Grid while the covering objectives appear in the columns. Instead of deriving priorities for alternatives through pairwise comparisons, you can define a formula under any covering objective (column). Each covering objective's formula converts data about the alternatives to values (priorities).
Alternatives that are added to a model from the Alternatives pane in the ModelView are known as active alternatives and are automatically added to the Data Grid. Alternatives can also be added directly in the Data Grid. All the alternatives in the Data Grid are referred to as global alternatives. Active alternatives are check-marked in the grid. You can mark and un-mark active alternatives and then extract them to the Alternatives pane to refine judgments or perform sensitivity analyses. See Extracting Alternatives from the Data Grid
The Data Grid also has Totaland Cost columns, which can be made visible or hidden with the View menu command. The value in the total column for each alternative contains the weighted sum of the values (priorities) for the alternative across all the covering objectives columns. Each cell in the body of the Data Grid contains (1) a bar representing the value of the respective alternative (row element) with respect to the covering objective (column element) and (2) the underlying data or value (you can ask to see either data or values by selecting the View menu).
The values in the Data Grid body cells are derived from the data based on one of five formula types:
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RatingsCreating_a_Ratings_Formula_in_the_Data_Grid Increasing Utility CurveCreating_an_Increasing_Utility_Function_in_the_Data_Grid Decreasing Utility CurveCreating_a_Decreasing_Utility_Function_in_the_Data_Grid Step FunctionCreating_a_Step_Function_in_the_Data_Grid Direct (entry of priorities)Entering_Priorities_Directly_in_the_Data_Grid
Tip: Define your objective and sub-objectives before defining formula types.
When to Use the Data Grid

When your decision involves a large number of alternatives making pairwise comparisons can be very time consuming, as you would have to perform a large number of comparisons for the alternatives (up to n*(n-1)/2) with respect to each covering objective. The use of the Data Grid combines the power of the hierarchy and the pairwise comparison process with the ability to evaluate hundreds or even thousands of alternatives. Pairwise comparisons are still used to evaluate the elements in the hierarchy itself, but not for evaluating the alternatives. Alternatives' priorities are established relative to each covering objective either by: (1) using ratio scaled Ratings intensities, or (2) using other formulas that can be applied to data.
Adding Alternatives to the Data Grid

Alternatives can be added to the model from the Data Grid. ? ? Click the Data Grid tab or select Go, Data Grid. Click the first vacant cell in the Alternatives column. Then type an alternative name and press Enter.
Note: Alternatives added to the model from the Data Grid are known as global alternatives.
See: Selecting Alternatives for Extraction from the Data Grid to the Alternatives Pane.
Deleting Alternatives from the Data Grid

? ? ? Click the Data Grid tab or select Go, Data Grid. Click on an alternative that you wish to delete. Press the Delete key or select Edit, Delete Alternative. This will delete the alternative and any judgments from the model.
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Note: Alternatives can only be deleted in the Data Grid. Alternatives displayed in the Alternatives pane can be made inactive. See inactivating alternatives.
Selecting Alternatives for Extraction from the Data Grid to Alternatives Pane
All alternatives are displayed on the Data Grid. Only those that are marked as active appear in the Alternatives pane. Use the following commands to select and extract alternatives from the Data Grid to the Alternatives pane. ? For each alternative in the Data Grid to be made active, right-click on the alternative. Note: A checkmark will be displayed if active. ? ? To deselect an active alternative, right-click on an alternative to remove the checkmark. Select Edit, Extract Selected to Hierarchy to extract the marked alternatives to the ModelView's Alternatives pane.
Tip: Try to keep the total number of alternatives extracted fewer than nine.
See: Transformation a Special Case
Copying a Formula from One Covering Objective to Another

To copy a formula: ? ? ? ? ? Go to the formula grid by either clicking the Formula tab or selecting Go, Formulas. Select the cell with the formula that you want to be copied. Select Edit, Copy Formula. Click in the cell where you would like the formula to be copied. Select Edit, Paste Formula.
None - Deleting a Formula Type

Use this formula type to delete an existing formula type and associated data from the database.
In the Data Grid, click in the first cell below the desired covering objective s name.
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Select Formula Type; then select None. Alternatively, right-mouse click in the first cell above the covering objective s name and select None.
Importing & Exporting to/from Data Grid

Ratings or data can be exported from Expert Choice to Excel where the data can be modified or entered and then re-imported to the Data Grid.
The Preferred Method: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. From Expert Choice's Data Grid select Edit Copy to Clipboard. From Excel use the Edit Paste command to import the extracted data. From Excel select Insert, Name, Define and then type a range name such as X. This marks the range to be pasted back into Expert Choice. Modify spreadsheet data or enter judgments. From Excel select Edit, Go To and select the range defined in step 3. From Excel select Edit Paste (to the clipboard). Return to the Expert Choice's Data Grid and select Edit Copy from the Clipboard.
Note: You must enter valid data in your spreadsheet. You may enter whole or fractional numbers. Tip: Backup your database by selecting the File SaveAs before cutting and pasting.
Importing from a Tab Delimited File

You can also import alternatives and associated ratings or data from a tab delimited file. The contents of the Data Grid will be replaced with what is in the file. Use this method when you will be extracting large amounts of data from another source.
To create a tab delimited file.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Export the Data Grid by selecting Edit, Copy to Clipboard. (You can also export a Data Grid that contains covering objectives.) Use Excel's Edit Paste command to import the data to Excel. Delete the top two rows of the spreadsheet. Delete the first column of the spreadsheet. Delete the Total Column if it has been imported. Save the spreadsheet by selecting File SaveAs; name your file and select Tab Delimited. Review the contents of your tab delimited file to determine what input will be obtained from other sources. For each row you will need an alternative name, cost (if the cost column is present), and a Rating or data value per covering objective.
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8. 9.
Have your programming staff create data for the tab delimited file. Return to Expert Choice's Data Grid and select Edit, Paste All from a File using the txt file created by your programming department. Tip: Backup your database before importing a tab delimited file.
Ratings
Ratings Overview
People often ratealternatives using words such as High, Medium and Low; or Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. This is often the case for subjective aspects of an evaluation or when there is no hard data. See: Glossary: Ratings Simply put, use Ratings when you wish to compare alternatives against a standard scale.
Creating a Ratings Formula in the Data Grid

? ? ? ? Select Go, Data Grid. Select Formula Type, Ratings. Alternatively, you can right-click in the cell above the covering objective s name select Ratings. When the Ratings definition window appears, type an Intensity Name, one per row, starting from the highest to the lowest value, for example, Excellent, Very Good, Good Click the Assess button and pairwise compare the relative preference of the intensities. When done you will be returned to the Ratings Definition window to see the derived priorities. Alternatively, if you know the exact values (priorities) that you want to enter do not click Assess, but click and drag a bar in the intensity priority column until the desired priority appears. ? Select Close. The intensities will be shown on the Data grid in priority order.
Tip: Assessing Ratings intensities with paired comparisons is the preferred way to derive priorities, but it takes a bit more time than directly assigning the weights.
Entering Ratings for Alternatives in the Data Grid

You can enter ratings in one of three ways with the keyboard, mouse, or the keypad if you are using our audio response team enabled system. However, a formula type of Ratings must have been previously created. See: Creating a Ratings Formula.
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First select the covering objective in the Data Grid that will be rated by moving to the first alternative s cell.
Entering a Ratings with the Keyboard:

? ? ? Type the number that represents the ratings such as 2 for Very Good, or Type a value between zero and one such as .345, or Clear a rating by pressing the Delete key.
Entering a Ratings with the Mouse:

? ? Click on the desired ratings intensity displayed at the top of the Data Grid. Click and drag the bar in the cell to the desired position. This will create a value between zero and one.
Tip: Moving all the way to the right will make the value one, moving all the way to the left will be zero.
Tip: If you have a large number of alternatives on the data grid use the vertical scroll bar to position the grid to the desired alternative. Use the horizontal scroll bar to position the column objective or click a node in the hierarchy.
Entering a Ratings with the KeypadEntering_a_Rating_with_a_Keypad
See: Interpreting a Rating
Interpreting a Rating
Each cell, if evaluated, receives the priority of the selected Ratings intensity. The value in the total column for each alternative contains the weighted sum of the values (priorities) for the alternative across all the covering objectives columns. (If the elements in the decision hierarchy have not yet been prioritized, the weights, and hence the totals, will be zero.)
Step Function
Step Function Overview
The Step function is similar to Ratings in that it consists of a scale or prioritized intensities. However the Step function automatically calculates the appropriate intensity
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for each alternative based on data entered in the Data Grid rather the using a word from a scale.
Creating the Step Function is similar to creating a Ratings scale with the addition of specifying a lower data bound for each step. Like Ratings, once you have created a Step Function intensity scale, pairwise comparisons are made to derive priorities for the intensities, or, you can drag the bar in the priority column to derive priorities.
For example, if the intensities were Low, Medium and High, we might want Low to be applied to each alternative for which the data value was less than 50, Medium between 50 and 199, and High if 200 or more. The data ranges are specified by Lower Bound values, in this case: 0 for Low, 50 for Medium, and 200 for high.
Creating a Step Function in the Data Grid

This function operates in similar fashion to Ratings. ? ? With a model that has several objectives and alternatives, select Go, Data Grid. Click the first cell in the desired covering objective's column; select Formula Type, and then select Step. Alternatively, right-mouse click in the first cell above the covering objective s name and then select Step. Type Intensity Names such as high, medium and low. Click in the step LB column, then type a lower bound for each step. The lower bound is lowest possible value that can be assigned to an Intensity. Click the Assess button and pairwise compare the relative preference of the intensities. When done you will be returned to the prior window to see the derived priorities. Alternatively, if you know the exact values (priorities) that you want to enter do not click Assess, but click and drag a bar in the intensity priority column until the desired priority appears ? Select Close. The intensities will be shown on the Data Grid in priority order.
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Tip: Assessing Step intensities with paired comparisons is the preferred way to derive priorities, but it takes a bit more time than directly assigning the weights.
Entering Values for Step Intensities in the Data Grid

You can enter data for the Step function in one of two ways with the keyboard or the keypad if you are using our audio response team enabled system. However, a formula type of Step must have been previously created. See: Creating a Step Function.
First select the covering objective in the Data Grid that will be evaluated using the Step function by moving to the first alternative s cell.
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Entering a Value with the Keyboard:

? ? ? Type a data value such as 25 or .672, or Type an equation into the cell and it will be displayed. Use + to add, - to subtract, * to multiply, / to divide and ^ ^ to raise to a power. Or Clear a Step value by pressing the Delete key.
Tip: If you have a large number of alternatives on the data grid use the vertical scroll bar to position the grid to the desired alternative. Use the horizontal scroll bar to position the column objective or click a node in the hierarchy.
Entering a Step Value with a Keypad:
See: Interpreting the Step Function
Interpreting a Step Function

Each cell, if valued, is assigned a priority based on the lower bounds of each step in the function.
The value in the total column for each alternative contains the weighted sum of the values (priorities) for the alternative across all the covering objectives columns. (If the elements in the decision hierarchy have not yet been prioritized, the weights, and hence the totals, will be zero.)
Utilty Curves
Utility Curves Overview
Utility curves, like the step function, translate data into priorities. Where as the step function consists of discrete steps, a utility curve is continuous. Utility curve formulas can be increasing or decreasing. Either type of curve can be linear or nonlinear, and when nonlinear, concave or convex.
Increasing Utility CurveCreating_an_Increasing_Utility_Function_in_the_Data_Grid Decreasing Utility CurveCreating_a_Decreasing_Utility_Function_in_the_Data_Grid
Creating an Increasing Utility Function in the Data Grid

? From the Data Grid, click the first cell in the desired covering objective's column.
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? ? ? ? ?
Select Formula Type; then select Increasing. Alternatively, right-mouse click in the first cell above the covering objective s name and select Increasing. Type the high and low X values for the function. The default is 0 - 1.0. Select the type of curvature. (The curve is linear by default.) To select either a convex or concave curvature, drag the curve up or down with the mouse. Select Apply to apply the function. Select the Close button to close the window.
Tip: Should you wish to select a decreasing utility curve instead, click Decrease.
Creating a Decreasing Utility Function in the Data Grid

? ? ? ? ? ? From the Data Grid, click the first cell in the desired covering objective's column. Select Formula Type; then select Decreasing. Alternatively, right-mouse click in the first cell above the covering objective s name and select Decreasing. Enter the high and low X values for the function. The default is 0 - 1.0. Select the type of curvature. (The curve is linear by default.) To select either a convex or concave curvature, drag the curve up or down with the mouse. Select Apply to apply the function. Select the Close button to close the window. Tip: Should you wish to select an increasing utility curve instead, just click Increase.
Entering a Value for an Increasing or Decreasing Utility Curve

Enter the values for each alternative in the appropriate covering objective column in one of two ways, with the keyboard or with the keypad by first moving to the cell in the data grid to be evaluated.
Entering Data for a Utility Curve with the Keyboard:

? ? ? The utility range is displayed on the grid, type a data value within the range in the cell. Type an equation into the cell and it will be displayed. Use + to add, - to subtract, * to multiply, / to divide and ^ ^ to raise to a power. Clear a utility curve value by pressing the Delete key. Tip: If you have a large number of alternatives on the data grid use the vertical scroll bar to position the grid to the desired alternative. Use the horizontal scroll bar to position the column objective or click a node in the hierarchy.
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Entering Data for a Utility Curve with the Keypad
See: Interpreting the Increasing or Decreasing Utility Function
Interpreting an Increasing or Decreasing Utility Function

Each cell, if valued, is given a priority based on the value entered in the cell with respect to the increasing or decreasing utility function.
Direct - Entering Priorities Directly

Entering Priorities Directly in the Data Grid
No formula is associated with the Direct formula type. You enter a priority from 0 - 1.0.
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From the Data Gird, select Formula Type; then select Direct. Alternatively, right-mouse click in the first cell above the covering objective s name and select Direct. Move to the desired cell under the covering objective and type the value using one of the following methods: o Type the data value, or o Drag in the cell with the mouse, or o Enter a priority with keypads.
Printing and Reports Printing and Reports

Printing can be initiated from the ModelView, Data or Formula grids by selecting one of three File commands:
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Print routes the current window to the printer or to a file. Print Preview displays what will be printed or routed to a file. Print Report can print more than one piece of information at a time. For example, to print each of the following on a separate sheet of paper you would select goal description, objectives, and the alternatives. If you wanted to print all together, use the ModelView File Print command.
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Menus - Expert Choice Menus Assessment Menu Commands

The ModelView's Assessment menu is primarily used to make paired comparisons, calculate priorities and erase node's judgments. ? Type - use this command to select one of three words that best describes the type of paired comparison to be made: Importance - select importance when you are comparing objectives, sub-objectives or criteria, as you will be concerned with the importance of one objective to the other. Preference - select preference when you are comparing alternatives, since you prefer one alternative to the other. Likelihood - select likelihood when comparing factors related to the probably of an outcome. ? ? ? ? ? Pairwise - use to make paired comparisons using either the verbal, numerical or graphical modes. Direct - Instead of making paired comparisons, use this command to enter values directly or drag a bar in the cell to the right of the value column. Calculate - calculates priorities based on pairwise judgments. Erase Node s Judgments - erases judgments only for the selected node's children. Erase Judgments for Entire Plex - erases judgments for the current node and all of its descendants.
Facilitator Menus
We have defined 3 menus; each is briefly described. (These menus are subject to change.) General Menu 1 K e y p a d N u m b e r 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Action Performed
Keypad Toggle On/Off Poll Tab On/Off Show Most Variance judgment with Anonymous Toggle on or off Show/Hide Judgments Previous Judgment go to Next Wave go to
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8 9 1 0
Close current window Next Judgment go to Hide/Show Facilitator Menus (on computer screen or projection device.
General Menu 2 K e y p a d N u m b e r 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0 Action Performed
Keypad Toggle On/Off Show Loaner with respect to judgments All Agree in Direction show direction of judgments in poll boxes Least Variance with respect to judgments More Variance Previous Judgment Most Variance Less Variance Next Judgment Hide/Show Facilitator Menus
General Menu 3 K e y p a d N u m b e r 1 Action Performed
Poll Tab On/Off
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2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
Show/Hide Judgments Show/Hide Graphical Scale Keypad Toggle On/Off
Hide/Show Facilitator Menus
File Menu Commands

Use this menu for file and printing operations. ? ? ? ? ? ? New - Creates a new model. Open - Opens a file. Open Web Model - opens a model on the Web by specifying a URL and a DSN; for example, http://127.0.0.1/model6 - only available in the Team and Enterprise versions Close - Closes the current file. Delete - Deletes a file; removing the file from your computer. Save As - Saves the model as a different file. ? ? ? Save - Saves the current file.?
Convert to Incomplete Hierarchy - Changes the structure of the model placing the active alternatives from the Alternatives pane under the covering objectives in the TreeView. If you are importing version 9.5 models you can convert to a Complete Hierarchy removing alternatives from the hierarchy and placing them in the Alternatives pane and Data Grid. Print - Prints the current window. Print Preview - Shows a print preview of the current window. Print Report - Use this to choose what you want to print as well as selecting print options. Exit - Ends the Expert Choice session.
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Formulas Grid Menu Commands

The Formulas grid shows each covering objective and its formula type as well as its parameters. You can also use this grid to copy formulas from one covering objective to another.
Edit Commands
1. Formula type use this command to create or view the formula for the current covering objective. For more information see the Data Grid Overview or the Data Grid Edit Menu Commands.
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2. 3.
Copy formula use to copy the selected the covering objective's formula type. Paste formula use to paste a covering objective's formula type to another row. Note: Standard windows copy commands cannot be used as we need to copy and paste parameters to and from the database.
4.
Revert - use to revert to a prior version of the database.
See Revert:
Other menu commands: File Menu Commands View displays the trash can showing deleted nodes in the hierarchy Go goes to the ModelView or Data Grid Tools Menu Formula Type displays the formula types Help Menu Commands
Go Menu Commands
Use this menu to go from one portion of Expert Choice to another. ? ? ? ModelView - jumps to the ModelView from another Expert Choice window. Data Grid - jumps to the Data Grid where alternatives can be entered and compared, as well as where data types can be defined. Formulas - jumps to the Formulas grid showing each covering objective and its formula type as well as its parameters. You can also use this grid to copy formulas from one covering objective to another. Participants Table - only available in team versions - jumps to the participant table where the facilitator can enter participant names, demographics and, if applicable, a keypad number. Person - only available in team versions - jumps to a list enabling the facilitator to quickly access a specific participant's portion of the model. Next Unassessed - jumps to the next unassessed node in the ModelView.
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Help Menu
Use the Help Menu to access different forms of help. ? ? ? Contents and Index - displays important topics and subjects that are covered in Help. Quick Start Guide - shows you how to quickly start building a model and make judgments. Tutorials - in-depth exercises that teach you how to:
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o o o o o o o ? ?
Build a model and make paired comparisons; Build a model using Structuring; Use Ratings, one of the Data Grid functions; Use other Data Grid features including Step functions and Utility Curves; Create a team model for use with groups; Prepare a group model for access on the Web; Use a group model with electronic keypads.
Art of Modeling - describes various modeling techniques. Expert Choice on the Web - takes you to Expert Choice web site. You must be using a web capable version of Expert Choice and be logged on to your network provider before invoking this command. About - shows information about the version of the Expert Choice software that you are using.
Pairwise Individual Menu Commands

Pairwise Individual Menu is only available with the group-enabled versions of our software. Those commands not accessible by the Participants are in gray. ? File o o Refresh for use only with the Web or Internet version. Used by the participants to refresh model information from the network or host computer. Keypads on/off used by the facilitator to turn the keypads on and off. The status bar at the bottom of the any individual window displays: ? ? Keypads <On> when both the receiver and keypad are on; ? ? Receiver when on the receiver is on; and ? ? Mouse is the Receiver is off. o o Receiver used by the facilitator to turn the receiver on or off. Facilitator Menus permits the facilitator to manipulate the software using the facilitator s keypad instead of using the computer. This permits the facilitator to move around the room. Close closes the pairwise individual window Print prints the current window. Print Setup use this command to set print options. Print Preview use this command to preview what will be printed.
o o o o ? Edit o
Information used by facilitator, it provides information about the elements being compared with respect to its parent.
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o o
Note provides a way for the participants in the group enable versions to document the rationale of their paired comparisons. Inconsistencies to Participants Table inserts the inconsistency ratio for the current set of judgments for all active participants in the inconsistency column of the table.
View o o o Graphical Scale On/Off a switch used in the pairwise graphical individual mode that will turn the tick marks on or off. Hide Judgments hides the judgments of the participants. Poll Box Options for use by the facilitator to display what is presented in the poll box. ? ? Yes/No only displays responses in black while those not responding are clear. ? ? Direction displays the responses of the participants showing only the direction of the paired comparison. For example, if the left factor was chosen the poll box will be blue; if the right factor was chosen it would be red. ? ? Judgment displays responses of the participantsjudgments in graphic form. If the left factor was chosen it would be blue; if the right was chosen it would be red. ? Options o o o ? Move o o o Previous Judgment (Ctrl P) moves to the previous judgment Next Judgment (Ctrl N) moves to the next judgment Judgment with: ? ? Most Variance moves to the judgment with the most variance. ? ? More Variance moves to the judgment with the more variance. ? ? Less Variance moves to the judgment with the less variance. ? ? Least Variance moves to the judgment with the least variance. ? ? Loaner moves to the judgment that is the out-lying judgment. ? ? All Agree on Direction moves to a judgment where all people agree on direction. s name with a number. Anonymous a switch that replaces a person Autokeypad keypads do not turn off when you move to next judgment. KP off when move keypads turn off when you move to next judgment.
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? Wave waves are used when you have more people than keypads. You can, for example, break up 50 people into two groups. o o Previous moves to the previous wave. Next moves to the next wave.
Help displays Expert Choice s help system as well as versioning information.
Participants Table Commands

The participantstable is only available from either the Team or Enterprise versions of Expert Choice. This table is for use by the facilitator. File ? ? ? Print - prints the current window. Print Preview - displays what will be printed. Close - closes the current window. Edit The edit commands are described under the Participants Table Edit Menu Commands.
Query The Query command is used to select which participants are ACTIVE. When combining judgments and data, the active participants are used to show the group results. The queries can be either selected from this menu or from the buttons in the lower pane of the participantstable window. ? ? ? ? All - includes all the people: facilitator, combined, and participants.
Participating - includes all people whose participating column is checked. Apply SQL query - applies a query to the participant's table. In addition to the two queries described above use this command to apply other queries: o From the Query drop-down list, select a query and then select Apply; or o Edit or type a query in the left-hand corner of the lower pane and then selecting Apply. For example, by either editing or typing Selected * from People where Sex='m' and then selecting Apply. This assumes that the sex field was used and that lower case m or f is used as designators. Note this feature assumes the facilitator has a working knowledge of SQL.
Revert to original query - reverts back to the original query which is All.
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? ?
Save SQL query - saves and names the current query (shown in the left-hand corner of the lower pane) for future recall. Delete SQL query - deletes the selected query from the drop-down list.
Combine Individuals (Judgments)
Sensitivity-Graphs Menu Commands

This ModelView command is used to display sensitivity analyses. ? ? ? ? ? ? Performance - displays how the alternatives perform with respect to all objectives. Dynamic - displays how priorities of alternatives change when the priority of one objective is varied. Gradient -shows the composite priority of the alternatives with respect to the priority of a single criterion. Head-to-head - displays how any two alternatives compare with respect to each criterion and the goal. 2D - displays how alternatives perform with respect to any two criteria. Open Four Graphs - displays the Performance, Dynamic, Gradient, and Head to Head graphs all at once.
Commands Common to All Sensitivity Graphs
Synthesize Menu Commands

The ModelView's Synthesize command is used to display priorities for the decision. There are two options. With Respect to Goal - calculates priorities and displays the overall goal or decision. ? ? Select either Distributive or Ideal mode. Ideal is the default. Select either Synthesize Summary or Details tab.
With Respect to Current Node - calculates and displays the results from the current (highlighted) node. Use this feature to show, for example, the results with respect to a single objective versus the enter model.
Tools Options Menu

Use this menu to change various Expert Choice settings. Options - there are five tabs.
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View tab - use this to change how various windows are displayed.
Calculation tab - use to vary the order of pairwise comparisons and determine when priorities are calculated.
Open tab - only for use with group models and for use by the facilitator - determines who can access the model and what will be initially copied from the facilitator's instance to the participant's instance.
Save tab - determines when the file will be saved (backed up). With group models, participant information is automatically saved.
General tab - use to determine what is shown in various windows.
Edit Menu Commands

Data Grid Edit Menu Commands
Use this menu to: create formula types that will be used to evaluate alternatives; copy data to and from the gird; to select data for extraction to the hierarchy; and to sort how the data is presented on the grid. ? Formula type - use to select a formula type to calculate priorities based on data entered in the grid instead of making paired comparisons. You can select one of several types: Ratings, Increasing, Decreasing, Step, Direct, and None. Copy all to Clipboard - copies the contents of the grid to the clipboard where it can be accessed by another program such as Excel. Paste All from Clipboard - copies all data on the clipboard to the Data grid. Paste All from File - replaces the contents of the grid with alternatives and data for each covering objective from a tab-delimited file. Replicate to All Participants - only available with group models, copies all data on the grid to the active participants' instances. Select All/DeSelect All - a toggle to select or deselect all of the alternatives in the grid. Delete Alternative - permanently removes an alternative from the model. Extract Selected to Hierarchy - extracts the selected alternatives to the ModelView's Alternatives pane. Sort sorts the alternatives based on the selected column in either:
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
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Ascending order of priority or Descending order. ? Combine data for only available with group models and for use by the facilitator, use to aggregate participants' Data Grid information to view the group consensus. Choose one: ? ? All Covering Objectives - combines all the judgments and data from each participant. Covering Objectives of Selected Parent Plex - combines the judgments and data of the Plex. First select the Plex to be combined by clicking on the Parent in the TreeView to the right of the Data Grid. Then select Covering Objectives of Selected Parent Plex. Only Selected Covering - combines the judgments and data of the node selected from each participant. First select a cell in the covering objective's column; then select Only Selected Covering.
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Data Clear All (Alternatives and Data) - Permanently removes all alternatives and data from the model. For use only by facilitator or in single user versions. Undo - undoes changes made to pairwise comparisons, the data grid, information documents and notes. Information - use to create documentation about the current node or alternative. With a group model, the facilitator can only use this feature. Note - use to provide information about any node, alternative, comparison, or cell judged by a participant. Revert - restores the most recently saved version of the database. Not available to participants in the team versions.
ModelView Edit Commands

This menu is used to structure the appearance of the hierarchy in the TreeView. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Insert Child of Current Node - use to add nodes below the current node. Insert Sibling of Current Node - use to add nodes on the same level as the current node. Paste Children from Clipboard - use to paste objectives that have been copied to the clipboard from another source as the children of the current node. Delete Node - use to delete a node and its descendants from the hierarchy (TreeView). Contents will be placed in the Trash Can. Copy Plex to Trash Can - use to copy the current node and its descendants to trash. Nodes in trash can be dragged and dropped to other areas of the TreeView. Edit Node - use to change the node name. Alternative - use this command to access Alternative pane commands: o o o o Insert - use to add an active alternative. Inactivate - use to inactivate the current alternative. It will remain on the data grid. Delete key - another way to inactivate the current alternative. Edit Alternative Name - use to change the name of the current alternative.
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o o
Inactivate All - inactivates all alternatives in the Alternatives pane. The alternatives will remain on the data and values grids. View Children of the Current Node - a toggle that changes the display between the Alternatives pane to the Children of the current node. (If Children of the current node are displayed then View Alternatives will be on the menu.)
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Sort Cluster - alphabetizes the nodes below the current node. Find - searches the hierarchy for the "find request". Combine Participants Judgments/Data - only available in the Team or Enterprise versions use this command to combine judgments for each active participant in one of three ways: o o o Entire Hierarchy - combines all the judgments and data. Plex - combines the judgments and data for the selected Plex. Current Node - combines the judgments and data for the current node.
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Rollup Current node only Current node and all Peers Password - use to set a password for model. Warning: Passwords must be remembered, as there is no utility to retrieve a forgotten password. However, when using either the Team or Enterprise versions facilitators can delete and/or change participants passwords. Information - use to create documentation about the current node. With a group model, the facilitator can only use this feature. Note - another way to document the current node. With a group model individual participants can document their decision making process. Empty Trash - use to remove all nodes from the trashcan. Once nodes are removed from trash they cannot be recovered. This command is only displayed when there is something in the trashcan. Revert - use to revert to a previous version of the database. With group models, this feature is only available to the facilitator.
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Participants Table Edit Menu Commands

The facilitator uses this menu to add or delete participants to the model. In addition, the facilitator can determine whether or not paired comparisons (judgments) and/or data from the Data Grid will be copied to new participants portions of the database.
? ?
Add N Participants - adds N number of participants to the group model. Copy to N new people - copies information from the selected PersonName row to N new participants. This option provides the facilitator with the ability to copy paired comparisons and/or data from the Data Grid from one participant to another.
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Delete Participant - deletes a participant permanently from the model. Copy Judgments/Data to Existing Participants - copies judgments and data, from either the facilitator or a selected participant to other existing participant(s).
View Menu Commands

Data Grid View Menu Commands
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Expand All Contract All Trash Can First Level Redraw Totals Column - a toggle that displays the total column containing the summation of all the derived priorities. Costs Column - a toggle that displays a cost column. Use this to enter actual costs per alternative. For use with Benefit/Cost Analysis. TreeView Pane - a toggle that displays the hierarchy next to the Data Grid. Formulas/Musts - toggles on/off the display of either formulas types or musts constraints for the data grid. o o Formulas display intensities or parameters, if applicable. Musts display upper and lower bounds that an alternative must conform to.
See the ModelView's View Commands to expand and collapse the hierarchy.
ModelView View Menu Commands

? ? ? ? ? Expand All - displays all the nodes in the TreeView. Contract All - contracts all nodes in the TreeView only showing the goal. Trash Can - displays nodes in the trash can. You can drag and drop an item in the trashcan to another part of the TreeView. First Level - displays the nodes directly below the goal. View Children of the Current Node - this is a toggle. If active alternatives are displayed in the Alternatives pane, selecting this command will display the children of the current node. If View Alternatives is shown on the drop-down list then the children of the current node will be displayed.
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? ?
Assessed Indicators a switch that tells which nodes children have not been assessed. Unassessed nodes have a red dot in the center of its circle in the TreeView. Priority Fills - if depressed, this switch will graphically display the priorities, if calculated, for each node in the TreeView. It will automatically be turned on when all elements in the ModelView have been prioritized. Priorities - a toggle that will display: o o o o None - none of the priorities are shown. Local - shows local priorities. Global - shows global priorities. Both Local and Global - shows both local and global priorities.
TreeView pane - use to create and display objectives and sub-objectives in the hierarchy; this is the default. It can be accessed from other ModelView panes by depressing the TreeView button.
ClusterView pane - Another way to build or display a model. From this pane you can drag and drop one objective into another. It can be accessed from other ModelView panes by clicking the ClusterView button.
ProCon pane - Use this to enter a list of Pros and Cons for each alternative. It can be accessed from the ModelView by clicking the ProCon button. cons. Select an alternative; then add pros and
Alts/Children/InfoDocs panes - These two panes along with the TreeView are the ModelView's default panes. o o The alternatives/children pane is used to enter and display alternatives or display children of the TreeView's current node. The Information Document pane displays information about the TreeView's current node.
All Pros/Cons pane - Once you have entered pros and cons for each alternative use this pane to build your hierarchy. It can be accessed from other ModelView panes by clicking the All Pros/Cons button.
? ?
Redraw - redraws the TreeView around the current node. Synthesis Mode - This toggles between the Ideal (the default) and Distributive synthesis modes.
Team and Enterprise Features The Facilitator's Role

When Expert Choice is used in a group setting, someone must act as the facilitator. It may also be useful to have a second person responsible for operating the computer and other technology, known as the technographer. Alternatively the two individuals might each act as a facilitator or computer operator at various times during the decision making process.
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Prior to the group session the facilitator, and perhaps the meeting owner, might meet to build the model and enter participant's names, demographics, passwords and other information as applicable. Alternatively, the facilitator and group might build the model.
The facilitator directs the flow of discussion. When the group decides something has been discussed enough, the facilitator or technographer performs any actions necessary move on to the next topic. For example: when making paired comparisons in the ModelView or making judgments in the Data Grid.
The facilitator or technographer turns on the receiver and keypads. This can be done from either the computer or from the facilitator's keypad. If the keypad is used the facilitator has the ability to move around the room and not be tied down to the computer. Any keypad can be set up as the facilitator keypad. For convenience we suggest number 1. When this is done this keypad can't be used to enter judgments.
Note: If the keypad hardware is not available, the facilitator can solicit votes orally and use the computer keyboard to enter participants votes one at a time.
To keep the group focused on the same issues, the facilitator may automatically turn the keypads off whenever he/she advances to the next judgment. Prior to voting the facilitator will turn on the keypads.
Other functions of the facilitator include calculating a set of group judgments; combining all participants' judgments and data to obtain a group result as well as displaying a synthesis; and performing sensitivity analyses.
Creating a Team Model / Group Enabling

The facilitator or owner of the model will first create a model that consists of objectives and alternatives using the features described in Getting Started / Building a Model in the TreeView or Structuring Another Way to Build a Model.
Once the model is created, the facilitator group enables the model so more than one person can enter judgments. To try this: ? ? ? ? ? ? Select File; then select Open. Navigate to your models directory and select the model name. Select File, saveAs and type new model name. Select Go, Participants. Alternatively click the Participants button. participant's table. You will be taken to the
Select Edit, Group Enable; this will add a COMBINED instance to the mode (PID=1). Select Edit, Add N People. Type the number of participants. You can add more participants later.
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Notice that the participants are named P2 through Pnth. ? ? If desired, enter a participant's name. For example, click on P2 and type the participant's name such as Betty. To add demographic information as well as a password click the appropriate cell and type the information; this is also true for the facilitator. Note: You must remember passwords as they will be encrypted and not viewable. So write jot down this information before proceeding. ? If the facilitator will also be participating in the decision make sure to check the box under the Participating column. Normally the facilitator does not participate in the decision.
About the Participants Table

The PID column is a database feature. The facilitator is always PID = 0 and the Combined instance is PID = 1. The combined instance shows the group results of all active participants. Active participants are determined by applying an SQL query prior to creating a combined instance. This feature enables the group owner to include or exclude certain decision-makers.
? ?
Before continuing, select File, Close to close the Particpants table. From the ModelView select File, Close to save and close the model, if desired.
Opening a Team Model

To open a model as the facilitator:
? ? From the ModelView, select File, Open. Navigate to the group model to be opened. Then an open model dialogue box will appear. When prompted to enter the model as either a participant or facilitator, press Enter without entering your name. This is usually the default. However, if you entered your name in the Person Name column when group enabling the model, type your name. If a password is required you will be prompted to enter it.
To open a model as a participant:

? ? ? From the ModelView, select File, Open. Navigate to the group model to be opened. Then an open model dialogue box will appear. When prompted to enter the model as either a participant or facilitator, type your participant name; alternatively, you can type a participant ID (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, etc). If a password is required you will be prompted to enter it. Opening a model on the Internet: If you have an Internet capable version of Expert Choice, you can access models on the Internet.
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First log on to the server as described by the facilitator and start Expert Choice. o Predefined participants and the facilitator will open the model as described above. o Non-predefined participants (guests) can open a model only if allowed by the facilitator. Type your name. Then enter the registration password provided by the facilitator. Note: If desired you can password protect your instance of the model.
Color Scheme Used with Team (Group) Models

The ModelView s border designates with color what instance of the model is open. In addition the name of the participant is also displayed in the title bar of each window. If the Facilitator opens his or her instance of a model there is no color. If the Facilitator opens the combined instance of the model the border is magenta. If the Facilitator opens a participant s instance of the model it is bright blue. If a participant opens the combined instance it is dark magenta. If a participant opens his or her instance of the model it is dark blue (navy). Note: These colors might vary on different computers.
Converting a Team (Group Model) from Version 9.5

EC2000 will convert your 9.5 models to EC2000 Access data base models. To do this: ? You must unzip your Version 9.5 group model using either Expert Choice Version 9.5 or WinZip. Note: Unzipped models will include one combined model and one model for each participant. Each model will contain of several files. ? From Expert Choice 2000, select File, Open; then navigate to and select the Version 9.5 "00" model. Note: Expert Choice 2000 will combine all the 9.5 files into one database. The Combined model is put in the Facilitator's instance. Participant models are instances put in instances PID2 through PIDnth. ? To create a Combined instance (PID 1) of the EC2000 model now; do the following: o o From the ModelView, select Edit, Combine ParticipantsJudgments/Data. When prompted to combine judgments, data or both; select Both.
Note: If you do this then the Facilitator and Combined instances will contain the same information. ? o To erase all the data from the facilitator instance follow these instructions. From the ModelView, select the Goal.
o Select Assessment and then select Erase Judgments for Entire Plex. Then all the data will be removed only from the ModelView. o Go to the Data Grid, select Edit, Data Clear All. Then all the data on the grid will be erased.
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Now the facilitator instance will contain only objectives, sub-objectives and alternatives. Converting a Ratings Model If you convert a Ratings model (that has a wk1 file as one its components) then the Ratings intensities in the lowest level of the hierarchy will be converted to the scales used in the Data Grid. (For more information Expert Choice 2000 and Ratings see the Data Grid and Ratings chapters.)
File Structure
Expert Choice 2000 files have the extension of .AHP. There is only one file per model and its structure based Microsoft's Access. Team Versions use Microsoft Access while the Enterprise Versions use Sequel.
Receiver and Keypads used with Team Expert Choice

Receiver and Keypad Hardware Overview
This section provides basic information for connecting and activating the hardware (receiver and keypads) used in Team Expert Choice. We use the Reply Cordless Response System. For detailed information consult the hardware documentation that accompanied your hardware.? A Radio Frequency (RF) Receiver comes with one attached cable, one detachable cable and a detachable power cord. The RF receiver is sold in various models depending on what country you live in. You must specify the countries where you plan to use it as the radio frequency bands available for such uses differ by country. A schematic is packed with the hardware. Individual Wireless keypads come with the system. Each participant uses a keypad to enter judgments or values. 250 keypads can be used with the system.
What you must supply. You must supply your own computer and projection system. The projection system might consist of an LCD panel attached to the computer and laid on a transparency projector, or a projector that attaches to the computer, or some other classroom style projection system.
What You Need to Do Before Connecting the Receiver.

1. 2. You will need one free serial port on your computer to connect the Reply Cordless Receiver. You will also need a video port if you use an LCD display panel, and a port for the mouse. The cable for an external modem can be removed to free-up one COM port. (Typically COM1 is configured for a mouse or for external modems; check your computer s hardware instructions to add and configure additional serial ports.)
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Connecting the Radio Frequency Receiver

1. 2. Turn off the computer before connecting the receiver. Connect the RF receiver nine-pin female serial port labeled RS-232 (TO PC) to an available serial port located usually on the back of your computer and typically labeled COM. You must use the null modem cable that is supplied with your RF receiver. If you have a 25 pin port on your computer you must obtain a DB9 to DB25 (i.e., 9 to 25 pin) adapter from a computer supply store. The cable coming from the interior of your RF receiver plugs into the front of the RF receiver into the port labeled TX/RX DATA. This should already be connected for you when the equipment arrives. Plug the RF receiver into a 120 Volt electrical outlet. (At this time you may desire to plug in your projection device). Turn on the power. Once the unit receives power a red light will be displayed on the receiver. Note: You can turn on the receiver before or after starting Team Expert Choice.
3. 4.
Programming the Keypads

Each keypad must be uniquely identified with its own internal number to enable Team Expert Choice to identify each participant s input. These numbers are easy to program or change as explained below. You should make certain that your keypads are properly labeled and uniquely identified BEFORE conducting a group session. For example, if you have ten decision-makers in the meeting, you will need ten keypads numbered from 1 to 10 internally, with corresponding external labels. It is also possible to have, for example, 10 decision makers use 8 keypads by selecting the "wave" option in the software and have eight people in the first wave, and two in the second wave. The two in the second wave would use a neighbor s keypad to make their judgments.
Determining the Current Internal Keypad Number

1. 2. Press and hold down the CLR key on the keypad until the LED display on the keypad flashes "C". This will take a few seconds. Release the CLR key. Then you should notice that three numbers flash consecutively on the LED display. If 0, then 1, then 5 appear, the keypad's internal number is 015, or 15. Internal numbers always have three digits.
To Change the Internal Keypad Number 1. 2. Press and hold down the CLR key on the keypad until the LED display on the keypad flashes "C". This will take a few seconds. Release the CLR key. Then you should notice that three numbers flash consecutively on the LED display. If 0, then 1, then 5 appear, the keypad's internal number is 015, or 15. Internal numbers always have three digits. After the last number has flashed, enter the keypad number you desire. Keypad numbers must have 3 digits. Zeros are entered using the ten key.
3.
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For example, if you want the internal number of the keypad to be number 5, press the ten key once for the first 0 then again for the second 0, then press the 5 key. To enter the internal number 10, press the ten key, then the 1 key, then the 0 key to enter 010. 4. 5. To check that the number you entered is correct repeat steps 1 and 2 above. Now that you have changed the keypad number don t forget to change the label.
Programming the Keypad so the * Key Behaves as an Invert Key

The asterisk, *, on the keypad must be programmed so it can invert the order of a judgment when making paired comparisons. Check each keypad making sure that the LCD displays an "A" when the * is depressed. If this does not happened use the above steps to program the * substituting the code 931 for a keypad number.
Common Keypad Troubleshooting Questions

Problem: Solution: The invert key * isn t working.
Make sure the keypad is programmed as described earlier in this section. Note: The invert key switches the dominance of a judgment from one factor to another.
Problem: Solution:
Keypad appears to be "haywire".
In the rare event that the keypad is not responding or appears to be sending signals improperly, press and hold the clear key while sequentially entering the three digits 981. This will reset the keypad to the factory setting. Note: If the keypad is dead, check the 9 volt battery. An indicator of E on the keypad could also signal a weak battery.
Problem:
There is a gap in the keypad number sequence or two or more decision-makers appear to be using the same keypad number. (You know the latter has happened when one decision announces that someone is erasing his/her judgments.) Check the keypad numbers and you will find a gap in the numbers or that one or more keypads have been set to the same number. Change the keypad numbers as described above.
Solution:
Problem: Solution:
Message: Keypads not available. Make sure the receiver is connected to the computer and turned on. Then determine if your Com port is set correctly. See Selecting Keypad Options.
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How the Hardware and Keypads are Activated

Activating the Hardware
Once the receiver is connected to the computer, you can turn on the Radio Receiver either before or after starting Team Expert Choice.
Activating the Keypads

? ? It is good practice to group-enable the model prior to the session. If you have not done this do it now. Then either select: o o From the ModelView Assessment Pairwise Individual or From the Data Grid Assess Individual.
Then one of the two individual windows will appear. This is where the team will enter judgments or data using the keypads. ? From either individual window select File then select Keypad Options. Use this to designate the number of keypads used in the session and to select the facilitator keypad. It is a good idea to do this before the session starts. Now that the keypad options have been set, make sure the software can see the receiver by selecting File, Receiver; then select On. Look at the status line: If the Receiver is on it should say Receiver Turn on the keypads by selecting File, Keypads On/Off. Look at the status line: If the Keypads are on it should say Keypads; otherwise it will say mouse.
How the Keypads Are Used

? ? ? ? Use to make YES or NO responses; select from A, B, C, D or E, or 1 through 9 multiple choice questions in Questionnaire and Brainstorming. Use more importantly to enter paired comparisons from the ModelView; this includes dragging bars to make graphical judgments. Use to enter Ratings and other data values in the Data Grid. Designate a keypad as the Facilitator Keypad; this capability lets the facilitator move around the room and not be tied down to the keyboard. See Selecting Keypad Options.
Facilitator Menus Overview

The facilitator menus help the facilitator customize Expert Choice for his or her specific use by logically and conveniently grouping commands that will be frequently used with the facilitator keypad. Ten different menus can be defined. We have provided several default menus that can be altered and restored at any time. The facilitator can modify ours menus and create others. ? From any Individual Pairwise or Individual Data Grid window, select File, Facilitator Menus.
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Review the default menus and if desired print them. After becoming proficient with Expert Choice you may desire to change or create new menus.
? ?
To name a menu or change the name of a menu, click the gray bar in the top center of the window and type the desired name. To add a command to a facilitator menu, move the cursor to the row where you want to add the command. Then select the desired command from the command box. Repeat this process as necessary. When finished editing the facilitator menus click OK to make the changes permanent.
To select a facilitator menu to be used select File, Facilitator Menus, then select a number from the drop-down list. Click OK. Tip: Use the File Keypad Options command from any individual window to set the facilitator keypad before or after selecting a facilitator menu. Tip: Pressing 10 on the facilitator keypad will hide or show the current facilitator menu on the computer and/or projection device. Note: The menu does not have to be visible to perform an action.
Making Individual Judgments

Entering Individuals Judgments and Data in a Group Model
Individual judgments can be entered into a group model in one of three ways: 1. 2. From the ModelView individual participants can make judgments with respect to the objectives and alternatives. From the Data Grid individual participants can enter data or Ratings for the covering objectives.
Entering a Consensus Judgment

A consensus judgment that represents the entire groups feelings can be made for either a paired comparison, or a covering objective in the Data Grid. Typically consensus is achieved by face-to-face discussion using Expert Choice with keypads. When this occurs, the group requests the facilitator enter the consensus judgment rather than using the keypads. To make consensus judgments the facilitator uses the combined instance of the model to enter a paired comparison, a Ratings, or data value. Consensus judgments only appear in the combined instance of the model not in the participants' instances. Should you want to include consensus judgments or values in each participant's instance then use the keypads.
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Using the Web, Internet or Intranet

Making Individual Judgments (Pairwise Comparisons) On a Network or the Web
The facilitator will provide instruction usually by email regarding the comparisons/judgments to be made by the participants. (Different participants can evaluate different portions of the same model.) After all participants have made judgments and notified the facilitator that they have completed their task the facilitator will combine all the participants judgments. When making paired comparisons, each participant should refer to Making Paired Comparisons as a point of reference and select the comparison mode of your choice or the mode requested by the facilitator.
Making Individual Judgments Using the Data Grid on a Network or the Web
The facilitator will provide instruction usually by email regarding the judgments or data values to be entered by the participants. (Different participants can evaluate different portions of the same model.) After all participants have made judgments, entered data or Ratings, and notified the facilitator that they have completed their task the facilitator will combine all the participants judgments/data.
When entering data values (or making comparisons related to either Ratings or the Step Function) refer to Data Grid Functions:
Entering an Individual's Ratings Entering an Individual's Step Value Entering an Individual's Values for either an Increasing or Decreasing Utility Function Entering an Individual's Priority Directly
Using Keypads
Making Individual Judgments (Pairwise Comparisons) With Keypads
What the Facilitator Does.
Select one of the following to learn how participants enter judgments using the keypads
Verbal Judgments Numerical Judgments Graphical Judgments
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Making Individual Judgments Using the Data Grid With Keypads

From the Data Grid window, the facilitator will project the display of each covering objective. The facilitator might also display information about the covering objective or lead the group in a discussion about the covering objective. Then the group will enter a ratings or value. When all entries have been made, the facilitator will move to the next covering objective to be assessed. This process will be repeated for all covering objectives.
Entering an Individual's Ratings Entering an Individual's Step Value Entering an Individual's Data Value for either an Increasing or Decreasing Utility Functions Entering an Individual's Priority Directly
Three Ways to Combine Individuals Judgments

Combining Judgments and/or Data from the Participants Table
The Combine Individuals command is used (by the facilitator) to create a combined instance in the database and participants table (PID=1), called Combined. Combined contains the combined judgments and/or data of the active participants. To determine who are the active participants look at the SQL query displayed in the lower lefthand portion of the lower pane of the participants table.
Then do this after all active participants have made judgments. 1. 2. If you are using Expert Choice on a network, each participant should inform the facilitator when judgments are completed using email or Net Meeting. From the Participants Table, review those active participants whose judgments and/or data are to be included in the Combined instance of the database. This can be done in one of two ways. a. If you will be using the Participating column as the selection criterion make sure the list of participants is correct. Add and remove checks as necessary. Then select the Participating button. b. If you will be using a query, select a query from the drop-down list and then select apply. Check the results of your query. For more information about queries see Using Queries. 3. After selecting the active participants, select the Combine Individuals button and then choose one of the following: ? ? Judgments only (in the entire Hierarchy) Data only (data from the Data Grid)
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? 4.
Both
When the combined instance is displayed you can review the combined results by synthesizing and performing sensitivity analyses or reviewing group data grid entries as applicable.
Note: When active participants change their judgments and it is desired to review the group results repeat this.
Combining Individual Judgments from the ModelView

This command is used (by the facilitator) to review the results of the group model. When you select Combined Individuals Judgments, the judgments for each active participant are combined using the geometric mean and placed in the Combined (PID=1) instance of the database. Then do this after all active participants have made judgments. 1. 2. If you are using Expert Choice on a network, each participant should inform the facilitator when judgments are completed using email or Net Meeting. From the Participants Table, review those active participants whose judgments and/or data are to be included in the Combined instance of the database. This can be done in one of two ways. a. If you will be using the Participating column as the selection criterion make sure the list of participants is correct. Add and remove checks as necessary. Then select the Participating button. b. If you will be using a query, select a query from the drop-down list and then select apply. For more information about queries see Using Queries. 3. 4. Select File, Close to close the participant s window. From the ModelView select Edit; then select Combine Participants Judgments/Data for each active participant in one of three ways: ? Entire Hierarchy - combines all the judgments and data. ? Plex - combines the judgments and data for the selected Plex ? Current node - combines all judgments or data for the current node. 5. When the combined instance is displayed examine the results by selecting Edit, Synthesize or select Sensitivity-Graphs.
Note: When participants change their judgments and it is desired to review the group results repeat this.
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Combining Individuals Judgments from the Data Grid

The facilitator uses this command to combine individualsjudgments and data from the grid to the Combined (PID=1) instance of the database. This command enables the facilitator and group to view the results as related to the Data Grid. Then do this after all active participants have made judgments. 1. 2. If you are using Expert Choice on a network, each participant should inform the facilitator when judgments are completed using email or Net Meeting. From the Participants Table, review those active participants whose judgments and/or data are to be included in the Combined instance of the database. This can be done in one of two ways. a. If you will be using the Participating column as the selection criterion make sure the list of participants is correct. Add and remove checks as necessary. Then select the Participating button. If you will be using a query, select a query from the drop-down list and then select apply. For more information about queries see Using Queries. Select File, Close to close the participantswindow.
b. 3.
4. From the Data Grid, select Edit, Combine data for... (then select one of the options): ? All Covering Objectives - combines all the judgments and data from each participant. ? Covering Objectives of Selected Parent Plex - combines the judgments and data of the Plex. (In the TreeView to the right of grid, select the parent of the Plex to be combined. Then select Covering Objectives of Selected Parent Plex.) ? Only Selected Covering - combines the judgments and data of the node selected from each participant. (Select a cell in the covering objective's column; then select Only Selected Covering.) 5. When the combined instance is displayed you can review the combined results by reviewing the group data grid entries.
Note: When participants change their judgments and it is desired to review the group results repeat this.
Using Queries
Expert Choice supports SQL (Structured Query Language). Queries from the participantswindow are used to select and apply active participants. The results of the query are used when combining participants judgments. Expert Choice is equipped with two standard queries that are applicable to all models built - All and Participating.
? ?
All - includes all the people: facilitator, combined, and participants. Participating - includes all people whose participating column is checked.
To determine the current query look at the left-hand section of the lower pane of the participants window.
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To apply a query: ? ? Select a button such as All or Participating, or Select a query from the drop-down list and click Apply.
Creating a Query (Adding A Query)

When interrogating the participantstable, you may select a subgroup based on characteristics of individuals in the group such as age, sex, etc., and examine the results for the subgroup. Furthermore, you may desire to save the query for future recall. The following example describes how to do this. Assume you wish to study the opinion of all the females in the group between the ages of 20 and 30. 1. Before applying the query, make sure that the appropriate data has been entered for each column of the participants table that will be queried. If this is not done, the query search will not find any matches. Either type or edit the query that is located in the left-hand corner of the lower pane to read: Select * from People Where Sex='F' and Age>20 and Age<30 Note: It is assumed that the facilitator has knowledge of SQL. 3. Select the Apply button to apply the query. The window should only show the participants who meet the search criteria. In our case females between the ages of 20 and 30. If the results are not correct check your query and data entered in the participants table. 4. Select Save to save this query and add it to the Query drop-down list for future use. If you do not wish, to re-use this query there is no need to perform step 4.
2.
See: Examples and Explanations of Queries
Deleting a Query
To delete a query: ? ? Select the query from the drop-down list. Click the Delete button or from the menu select Query Delete SQL query.
Applying a Query
Once a query is either created or selected from the drop-down list it must be applied to the model. ? Select the Apply button. Then the following actions happen:
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1. The display of participants in the people table will change to only show those specified in the query; we shall refer to them as active participants. 2. Grid. 3. . Only active participants will be able to make judgments or enter data in the Data Only the active participants will be used when combing individualsjudgments.
Combine Individuals Judgments

? ? First apply a query; if it is not selected in the left-hand section of the lower pane of the participants window. Second click the Combined Individuals button to create a Combined Person Name (PID = 1). The Combined instance will contain the combined individuals judgments and/or data for all active participants. Then this model can be used to produce a group synthesis, group sensitivity analyses or view totals from the Data Grid.
Menus Specific to Group Enabled Models Web Capabilities Creating a Web (Remote DSN) Model
This feature enables the facilitator place a model on a server for web access by participants or guests who have Internet access and Expert Choice 2000 web capability. For more detailed instructions than provided below see Tutorial 7. To create a model that uses Remote DSN follow these steps: 1. 2. From the Start menu select Settings, then Control Panel For Windows 95/98 systems: Select ODBC32 Data Sources or ODBC DATA SOURCES (32bit) For NT systems: Select ODBC Data Source For Windows 2000: Select Administrative Tools, Data Sources (ODBC) 3. 4. Select the System DSN tab Click the Add button. From the list, select Microsoft Access Driver. Click Finish. 5. Type a Data Source Name to designate the model to be accessed such as "car". Then click the Select button.
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6.
Using the list of files, either navigate to or type the path/file name that contains the desired Expert Choice 2000 model. The path/file name must include the extension .ahp. (To see a list of only the Expert Choice models type *.ahp.) Click OK to go back to ODBC Data Source Administrator. Click OK a second time to complete the System DSN process.
7. 8.
Accessing a Model Over the Web

Once a model is installed on the server, it can be accessed from Expert Choice 2000 that is installed on either the facilitator or participants' computers.
1. 2. 3. 4.
First connect to the Internet or Intranet. Start Expert Choice 2000 Select File, then Open Web Model. Type the IP address or hostname, and the DSN (data source name) For example: http://models.expertchoice.com/samplemodel where http://models.expertchoice.com is the hostname and samplemodel is the DSN of the Expert Choice model on the web server. An example using an IP address is: http://123.456.78.90/samplemodel
5.
The facilitator and participants should login with their assigned username and password, if applicable; then proceed as directed by the facilitator.
Appendix of Expert Choice Terms & Concepts -A BAbsolute Measurement

Absolute measurement is used when the alternatives are compared against previously established scales rather than relative to one another. See Relative Measurement.
Active Alternatives
Alternatives displayed in the ModelView's Alternatives pane are known as active alternatives. They can only be inactivated but not deleted. See: Global Alternatives
Active Participants
Those team members who participate in the decision-making process. They have been selected as a result of an SQL query and then the selection was applied to the database. This feature enables one to define many participants and have different participants make judgments about various facets of the model.
Alternatives
The alternatives are the options from which a choice is to be made. In a decision model the alternatives can be evaluated in two ways:
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Relative comparisons - alternatives are directly compared to one another using the pairwise process. Data Grid - alternatives are evaluated against a standard or scale that has been developed.
See Active Alternatives and Global Alternatives.
Assessment
Assessment involves making pairwise comparisons between objectives, sub-objectives, and alternatives of the decision. These are all made relative to the node above.
Autoadvance
Automatically advances to next judgment to be made.
Autoredraw
One of two TreeView s Redraw commands; it is the default. When you move to a node in the hierarchy, the tree will automatically be redrawn about this node showing its descendants.
Best Fit
This command is used to examine inconsistency. It identifies the judgment that is the most inconsistent and suggests what changes should be made to reduce inconsistency from a mathematical perspective. As a decision-maker you must determine if this is logical and what changes in judgment should be made versus what is recommended.
Bottom Up Structuring
A structuring process used to construct a model by first identifying alternatives; second identifying pros and cons for the alternatives; third converting pros and cons to objectives and sub-objectives. This approach is useful when more is known about the alternatives of choice than the objectives. See Top Down Structuring
-C DChild Node
A child node is a sub-objective of the node above it.
ClusterView
The ModelView's ClusterView pane is used to enter and cluster objectives and sub-objectives into categories. Any structural changes made in the ClusterView will be updated simultaneously in the ModelView's TreeView pane.
Comparisons - Modes of
There are three ways to enter pairwise comparisons: verbally, numerically and graphically.
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Complete Hierarchy
A complete hierarchy (model) has the same number of alternatives under each covering objective (lowest level objective) in the hierarchy. This is the default. See Incomplete Hierarchy.
Covering Objective
A covering objective is defined as the lowest level sub-objectives in the hierarchy (TreeView). In the Data Grid, the covering objectives are displayed as columns while the alternatives are displayed in the rows.
Criterion / Criteria
A criterion is a principle or a standard that an element is judged by and is often represented as a lowest level sub-objective. Throughout Expert Choice, the words criterion and objective are used interchangeably. The plural of criterion is criteria.
Distributive Synthesis
The distributive mode distributes the priorities of each covering objective among all the alternatives, thereby dividing its global priorities proportionately to the priorities of the alternatives beneath it. This method is used when all alternatives matter.
Data Grid
The Data Grid lists all alternatives in the model. Alternatives can be selected for extraction to the Alternatives pane of the ModelView. The Data Grid is also used to evaluate alternatives with respect to each covering objective in the model using one of five different formulas: Ratings, Step function, Increasing or Decreasing utility curves, and Direct entry of priorities.
Diagonal Pairwise
When making pairwise comparisons, one option is to make judgments on the diagonal of the matrix. This feature uses the minimum number of comparisons necessary to calculate priorities.
Diagonal Pairwise can also be used with the Data Grid to assess intensity scales that were created with the formula types of Ratings or the Step function.
- F GFormulas Grid
This grid displays the Data Grid's formulas per covering objective as well as its parameters. Use this grid to copy and paste formulas from one objective to another.
Gap Analysis
By establishing the distance that every alternative ranks from the ideal alternative you can perform a gap analysis; this can be viewed from the Data Grid. In addition, you can extract the ideal alternative and up to eight other alternatives from the Data Grid to the Alternatives Pane of the ModelView and then view the performance sensitivity graph for another form of gap analyses.
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Geometric Average
The geometric average is the nth root of a product of n numbers. If you have two numbers 6 and 24 the geometric average is 12 (6x24=144 raised to the power). If you have three numbers, 1, 3, and 9 the geometric average is 3 (271/3).
Geometric Indicator
The Geometric Indicator on the Data Grid shows that amount of variance in a set of group judgments. The more inconsistent the judgments the higher the indicator.
Global Alternatives
All alternatives displayed in the Data Grid are known as global alternatives. Only global alternatives can be deleted from the model. If you want to include a subset of the global alternatives in the ModelView's Alternative pane you must select and extract them. Active Alternatives
Global Priority
The priority of each node relative to the Goal is called the global priority. The global priorities of a node represent the portion of the parent's priority inherited by the child. The global priorities of all the children equal the parent's global priority. The global priority of a child equals the local priority of the child times the global priority of the parent. See Local Priority and Priority.
Goal Node
The goal node represents the problem to be solved and appears at the top of the hierarchy.
Grandchild
A grandchild node is a sub-sub-objective of two nodes above it.
Graphical Comparison Mode

When making assessments, you can use one of the three pairwise comparison modes. When making graphical comparisons, comparisons for two elements are made by moving judgment bars to the left or right. The upper portion of this window graphically displays the two elements being compared with respect to the node above. The lower portion of the window shows the numerical transformation of the graphical judgment.
- H IHierarchy
A hierarchy is a tree- like structure that is the used to decompose a decision problem. It has a topdown flow, moving from general categories (objectives) to more specific ones (sub-objectives and sub-sub-objectives).
Incomplete Hierarchy
An incomplete hierarchy (model) has a different number of alternatives under each covering objective. If this is the case then you must convert your model to an incomplete hierarchy that will
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display the objectives and alternatives in the TreeView rather than displaying the alternatives in the Alternatives pane. See Complete Hierarchy and Converting to an Incomplete Hierarchy.
Inconsistency Ratio
A measure of inconsistency used in Expert Choice when making paired comparisons. An inconsistency ratio is calculated for each set of judgments. Inconsistency follows the transitive property, for example, if you were to say that A > B, and B > C, then say that C > A, you would have been inconsistent.
Theoretical Information
The Inconsistency INDEX, not ratio, is calculated for each node (and its cluster of children), and multiplied by the priority of the node, and summed over the entire model. A similar calculation is done for the Inconsistency INDEX for random judgments. The Overall Inconsistency Ratio is the ratio of these two weighted sums. =========== It has been shown that for any matrix small perturbations in the entries imply similar perturbations in the eigenvalues; thus the eigenvalue problem for the inconsistent case is: A w = lambdamax w, where lambdamax will be close to n (actually greater than or equal to n) and the other lambdas will be close to zero. The estimates of the weights for the activities can be found by normalizing the eigenvector corresponding to the largest eigenvalue in the above matrix equation. The closer lambdamax is to n, the more consistent the judgments. Thus the difference, lambdamax - n, can be used as a measure of inconsistency (this difference will be zero for perfect consistency). Instead of using this difference directly, Saaty defined a consistency index as: (lambdamax - n)/(n-1) since it represents the average of the remaining eigenvalues. In order to derive an accurate interpretation of either the difference or the consistency index, Saaty simulated a very large number of random pairwise comparisons for different size matrices, calculating the consistency indices and arriving at an average consistency index for random judgments for each size matrix. He then defined the consistency ratio as the ratio of the consistency index for a particular set of judgments to the average consistency index for random comparisons for a matrix of the same size. Since a set of perfectly consistent judgments produces a consistency index of 0, the consistency ratio will also be zero. A consistency ratio of 1 indicates consistency akin to that which would be achieved if judgments were made at random rather than intelligently. This ratio is called the inconsistency ratio in Expert Choice, since the larger the value, the more inconsistent the judgments.
Information Document
Used to enter information about the goal, a particular objective, sub-objective or alternative in the hierarchy. When using a group model this feature is only available to the facilitator.
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Intensity Scales
When using the Data Grid, Intensity Scales are used with either Ratings or the Step function to measure data. These scales are often made up words such as Very Good, Good and Poor. The scale is then pairwise compared deriving priorities by which the alternatives are then compared.
Invert
This command switches the order of dominance between nodes in the pairwise comparison process.
Ideal Synthesis
The ideal mode of synthesis distributes the full priority of an objective to the alternative that ranks highest under that objective. The other alternatives are given a priority in proportion to each alternative and the highest alternative. Use the Ideal when you are only concerned about one alternative and the others will no longer be relevant.
-J L M NJudgment
A judgment expresses the strength of importance, preference or likelihood of one element over another with respect to the node above. Usually the judgments are made through a series of pairwise comparisons, although judgments can also be made by entering priorities directly, using Assessment, Direct.
Judgments are also made from the Data Grid, by comparing each alternative with respect to each covering objective's formula type.
Local Priority
The local priority represents the percentage of the parent node's priority that is inherited by the child. The local priorities of the children of a node also sum to one. See Global Priorities and Priority
ModelView
The main Expert Choice window shows either the TreeView (hierarchy of objectives), alternatives and an Information Document for the current node, or the ClusterView. When in the ClusterView you can see all the objectives and alternatives (top down structuring) or all the pros and cons and the alternatives that they point to (bottom up structuring). For more information see the Tutorial Structuring Lesson.
Node
Nodes represent the elements of a decision. A node may represent the goal, an objective, a subobjective or an alternative.
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Note
Each node of a model can have a corresponding note. The note may include detailed information that isn't in the definition, such as the information that was considered for a judgment. It is most useful when the group feature is enabled because each participant can enter his/her own comments. Notes can also be defined for each cell in the Data Grid.
Numerical Comparison Mode

When making assessments, you can use one of the three pairwise comparison modes. The Numerical Comparison Mode uses numbers (1-9) to compare two elements to the element above. For example, we would say A is 3 times more important than B.
-O P RObjective
An objective is something that is sought or aimed at in a decision. The word, objective, is sometimes interchangeably used with criterion or attribute. However it is Expert Choice's position that an attribute will point to a criterion and a criterion will point to an objective.
Pairwise Comparisons / Paired Comparisons

One of the major strengths of AHP is the use of pairwise comparisons to derive accurate ratio scale priorities, instead of using traditional approaches of assigningweights. This process compares the relative importance, performance or likelihood of two elements with respect to another element in the level above. A judgment is made as to which is more important and by how much. Pairwise comparisons are carried out throughout an Expert Choice model to establish priorities. There are three modes for pairwise comparisons: numerical, verbal, and graphical.
Parent Node
A parent node is any node in hierarchy that has children.
Plex
A Plex is defined to be the current node and all of its descendants.
Priority
The priority of a node is a numerical value represented as a percentage of one. It is derived from pairwise comparisons with respect to the parent node. The local priorities of the children of a node add up to one. The global priorities of a node represent the portion of the parent's priority inherited by the child. The global priorities of the children also sum to the parent's global priority. The global priority of a child equals the local priority of the child times the global priority of the parent.
Redraw
The redraw commands redraw the hierarchy, in the TreeView, about the current (highlighted) node showing its descendants.
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Autoredraw, the default, will automatically redraw the hierarchy about the current node when you move to it; it is displayed on the button bar with the left-hand icon. Redraw only works if Autoredraw is off; it is shown on the button bar with the right-hand icon. You must move to a node and double-click to expand or collapse that portion of the hierarchy. When at the ModelView's TreeView, depressing the first letter of a node name (or a series of characters) will take you to that node. This feature is not available from the Data Grid's TreeView.
Relative Measurement
In contrast to absolute measurement, relative measurement refers to the measurement of the priorities of the objective, sub-objective and alternatives as determined by comparing elements to each other. See Absolute Measurement.
Ratings
Ratings, is a Data Grid method used to evaluate a large numbers of alternatives. Scales of intensities are developed and prioritized; these measures are then used to judge each alternative.
- S TSensitivity Analysis
Sensitivity Analysis is used to investigate the sensitivity of the alternatives to changes in the priorities of the objectives. There are five types of sensitivity analyses: Performance, Dynamic, Gradient, 2-D plot, and Head-to-Head. Analyses can be performed from the Goal node or from the current node in the hierarchy such as an objective.
Sibling Node
Nodes that appear at the same level in the model, relative to the parent node, are known as siblings.
Step Function
The Step Function is one of five Data Grid Formula types and is similar to Ratings in that it consists of a scale or prioritized intensities. However the Step function automatically calculates the appropriate intensity for each alternative based on data entered in the Data Grid rather the using a word from a scale.
Structural Adjust
When making paired comparisons, the Structure button is used to structurally adjust a set of priorities based on the number of the current node's grandchildren. This feature should be used when you wish to prevent the dilution of the global weight of a grandchild simply because it has many siblings.
Structuring
This feature of Expert Choice facilitates the hierarchy building process by: 1) clustering objectives, or 2) defining alternatives and their associated pros and cons and then converting them to objectives.
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Sub-Objective (Sub-Criterion)
A sub-objective is a lower level objective of a parent.
Synthesis
This process shows the overall solution by synthesizing (combining) all global priorities for each alternative and then presents the results in graphic format. A synthesis can also be performed for other nodes in the hierarchy; this is known as an intermediate synthesis.
TreeView
The term TreeView in this manual refers to an Expert Choice hierarchy containing objectives and sub-objectives.
Top Down Structuring

The model is built, from the top, starting with the most general objectives, then the more specific (sub-objectives), and finally the alternatives of choice. See Bottom Up Structuring.
-U V W X Y ZUtility Curves
Two utility curves available from the Data Grid include either Increasing or Decreasing curves,) Like the step function, utility curves translate data into priorities. Where as the step function consists of discrete steps, a utility curve is continuous. In addition to being increasing or decreasing, either type can be linear or nonlinear, and when nonlinear, concave or convex.
Verbal Comparison Mode

One of three paired comparison modes where you compare factors with respect to its parent using words, such as: Equal, Moderate, Strong, Very Strong, and Extreme.
What-if
What- if analysis can be performed with the Sensitivity Analyses Graphs to determine how the overall result would change if the priorities of the objectives were changed.
Other Expert Choice Documentation

The Quick Start Guide, accessed from Expert Choice s Help menu, should be used to rapidly learn how to build and evaluate a model you will decide on the best vacation destination. To do this click Take Me To The Quick Start Guide. When done using the Quick Start Guide just close the window to return to the this help document.
The Tutorials, also accessed from Expert Choice s Help menu, contain lessons for learning how to derive the most benefit from using Expert Choice.
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Lesson 1, Building a Model, will guide you through building a hierarchical model with objectives, sub-objectives and alternatives; making judgments to derive priorities; synthesizing to derive overall results; and performing sensitivity analyses. Lesson 2, Structuring, describes another way to build a model. With the top-down approach, you cluster objectives and then add alternatives. With the bottom-up approach you convert alternatives' pros and cons to objectives. This Lesson can be skipped the first time through the tutorials. Lesson 3, the Data Grid, explains the data grid and demonstrates Ratings, the first of several different approaches for translating data into values. Lesson 4 explains the remaining Data Grid approaches including: Step Functions, Increasing and Decreasing Utility Curves, and entering Priorities Directly. Lesson 5 addresses features available only in Team and Enterprise versions of Expert Choice. The lesson shows how to use the team version in a group setting using either a local area network or the Internet. Lesson 6, Web Models and the Internet demonstrates how to access Web models.
? ? ?
Take me to the Tutorials When done using the Tutorials just close the window to return to the this help document.
Shortcut Keys
Shortcut keys exist for many of the menu commands. (The shortcuts are listed when a menu is selected using the keyboard or the mouse.) Some of the most frequently used shortcut keys are: Shortcu Action t Key Ctrl-J Ctrl-H Ctrl-B Ctrl-I Ctrl-P Ctrl-L Ctrl-D Ctrl-E
Jumps back to the ModelView from any of the other tabs Inserts a child node in the hierarchy (TreeView) while in the ModelView Inserts a sibling node in the hierarchy while in the ModelView Inserts an "active" alternative while in the ModelView s Alternative pane Displays the current node's Pairwise Assessment pane Calculates the current nodes priorities Jumps to the Data Grid Edits the current node while in the ModelView
View tab
Use the View tab to change how various windows are displayed.
Alternatives pane
? ? Either Show Alternatives (the default) or Show Children of the current objective Show Priorities and Histogram (the default)
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Structuring tab and Data and Formulas Grids ? ? ? Show Global Alternatives' Ids -This is a database feature and will be useful if you access the Expert Choice model using Access or Sequel.) Show FullPath from the Goal (the default) - if deselected, only the covering objective will be displayed. Show Number of Characters - changes the default setting of either the Structuring objectives or the Data Grid columns to display the number of characters requested. (If the Data Grid Show FullPath is also selected the display could be very long.) All - displays all characters entered.
Note: You can also adjust the columns in grids using standard windows functions. However, these changes will not be permanent.
TreeView and Alternatives panes

? Font - select the font type and size for both the TreeView and Alternatives panes.
Calculation tab
Autoadvance After Judgment - advances to the next paired comparison to be made after 5 sec. This is the default. You can extend the time if desired. Note: If turned off you will have to click a cell in the matrix to move to the next judgment.
Judgment Order - determines the next paired comparison to be made. ? ? ? Next - moves to the next sequential paired comparison Randomize - randomly moves to a paired comparison. Diagonal - moves down the diagonal of the matrix.
Defer Calculations to Speed Operation if selected, you must manually calculate priorities by selecting the Calculate icon. The default is not to defer.
Open tab
File Open Options ? ? ? New Participants Not Permitted - only existing participants can access the model. The default. New Participants Permitted, No Password Required - permits a new participant to access a new instance of the model without a password. New Copy for New Participant, Registration Password Required - permits a new participant to access a new instance of the model with a password that has been provided. Once registered the participant can change the password.
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Copy to Participant Options - determines what information can be copied from the facilitator's instance of the model to the participant s instance. ? ? ? ? None - the default; no information will be copied; the participant must make judgments. Hierarchy Judgments and Priorities - copies only the judgments and derived priorities in the hierarchy. Copies the Data Grid Entries - only copies the data grid entries and derived priorities. Prompt the Participant - prompts the participant for the data that will be copied to the model. Note: The facilitator can select both hierarchy judgments and data grid entries.
Save tab
Always Save Backup Copies - this takes up a lot of disk space. Perform Autosave every 10 minutes - this is the default. Note: Both operations can be selected.
General tab
Structuring - enables or disables the ModelView's Structuring pane (another way to build a model).
Ideal Alternative Options

? Include Ideal Alternative in Data Grid - a switch that will display an ideal alternative. Then if desired you could make it active and extract it along with other alternatives to the ModelView s Alternative pane. Hide Ideal Alternative - a switch that hides the display of the ideal alternative, if extracted in the ModelView, Synthesis and Sensitivity Analyses. This was the model can be analyzed with and without the ideal alternative.
Renaming Nodes in the ModelView's ClusterView

To rename a node:
Double-clicking on the node to be renamed will display the objective's description. ? Use either the standard editing keys to adjust the description or type a new objective. Then press Enter.
Entering a Step Value with a Keypad

Once the facilitator has selected the covering objective to be evaluated and turned on the keypads, use your individual keypad to either: ? ? Press number that represent the data value such as 25; then press **. The sequence of key presses is 25**. Press * (asterisk) to enter a decimal point and then press a number such as 672. To record the decimal value of .672, you must press *. The sequence of key presses is our example is *345*.
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? ?
To enter zero, press the ten (10) key. To clear a value, press the asterisk key twice (**).
Each cell, if valued, is assigned a priority based on the bounds of the steps in the function.
Transformation - a Special Case

If all the covering objectives below a higher level of objective have the same data type, such as increasing utility, you can, when extracting alternatives: ? ? Derive priorities and pairwise comparisons of the alternatives with respect to each of the covering objectives. In addition to this, you can calculate the priorities and pairwise comparisons of the covering objectives with respect to their parent. In this case the priorities are based on the total sum of the data under each covering objective.
Future Participants Table Edit

Do not put in documentation until implemented Anonymous - COMING SOON ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Delete All People - COMING SOON Merge People - COMING SOON Copy to Clipboard - COMING SOON Select - allows you to select from the following: Contiguous - COMING SOON Non-Contiguous - COMING SOON All - COMING SOON Add field to table COMING SOON
What the Facilitator Does

1. The facilitator must open the combined instance of the model by either clicking on the Combined instance from the drop-down list, or typing the word, Combined, in the Open Model dialogue box. You will know when the combined instance is displayed as a magenta border will be displayed in the TreeView. Select Assessment; then select Pairwise Individual. If group comparisons have been previously made you will be returned to the original comparison mode. The fastest way is to click the Individual button. Or you can, click any comparison tab from the ModelView s TreeView pane and then select Assessment, Pairwise Individual.
2.
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3. 4. 5.
From the Pairwise Individual Window select and display one of the individual comparison windows by selecting the Verbal, Numerical, or Graphical tab. Now is the time to provide instruction and information about the first paired compared to be made. Display either the Poll or Vote window. ? The Poll window shows which keypads voted. This visual will let the facilitator know who voted without any participants looking at the judgments/votes entered. ? The Vote window shows the actual judgment entered by each individual.
6.
Turn on the receiver and keypads so each participant can enter a judgment (vote). Note: The facilitator may or may not turn the keypads off in between judgments. Tip: Turning the keypads off until voting helps the participants focus on discussion by not voting before discussion has ended.
7. 8.
After the participants vote the facilitator moves to the next paired comparison to be made and repeats steps 4 6. When the comparison process is completed, the facilitator calculates each individual s priority as well as the group priority.
Using Keypads to Make Graphical Judgments

When making graphical judgments, you use the keypads to move the bars either to the left or right. Use the following figure to help do this.
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For example, when making graphical judgments pressing the numbers 1 or 2 on the keypad causes the bar to move left or right a large increment. Using 4 or 5 moves the bars moderately, while 7 and 8 move the bars slightly. Lastly the * (the asterisk key) and the 10 key move the bars a tad.
Each key press causes the bars to move either to the left or right. Data registration takes a second, so wait until you see the bars move before depressing another key.
To invert the judgment, switching the dominance of the judgment, from either the left to the right or vice versa, you must press 6. (To determine if you want to do this, look at the projected comparison window.)
To clear a judgment, press 9.
To record the graphical judgment, you must press 3.
Using Keypads to Make Numerical Judgments

? Press a number from 1-9 on the keypad to represent how many times one factor is more important or preferable than another.
For example, if you feel the paired comparison is equal you would press one. If you felt the comparison was 5 times more important you would press 5.
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Note: All keypad entries default to the first (left) factor being compared.
To invert the judgment, switching the dominance of the judgment, from the left to the right or vice versa, you must press * (the asterisk key) either before or after pressing the number that represents the verbal comparison. (To determine if you want to do this, look at the projected comparison window.)
To clear a judgment, press the 10 key.
Synthesis Summary Tab

Shows bar graphs of the global priorities for the alternatives.
Synthesize Summary or Details tabs

The Summary tab shows bar graphs of the global priorities for the alternatives.
The Details tab shows the priorities for each alternative with respect to each lowest level objective. The Details can be displayed with or without totals.
Note: You can drag and move a selected details' column to the left and the information shown will be displayed in the drag/move order.
Distributive or Ideal mode

Choosing a Mode of Synthesis
There are two methods by which you can synthesize to derive results for your decision, Distributive or Ideal. The following sections, Distributive and Ideal Synthesis should be read to determine which mode to use.
Ideal Synthesis
Use the Ideal mode when you are concerned with choosing only one alternative - the best and the other alternatives will no longer matter. Choosing Synthesis Mode
The Ideal mode assigns the full weight of each covering objective to the alternative that ranks highest under it. The other alternatives receive a weight in proportion to the highest alternative per covering objective. The weights/priorities for all the alternatives are summed to display the best alternative.
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Note: If the same alternative is best for all of the objectives the alternative receives an overall value of one while the other alternatives receive proportionately less.
Distributive Synthesis
Use the Distributive mode when all alternatives matter. The Distributive mode distributes the weights of the objectives among the alternatives; thereby dividing the full objectives' weights into proportions relative to the percentage of preference of each of the alternatives. Choosing Synthesis Mode
Numerical Representations of Verbal Judgments

Extreme Very Strong to Extreme Very Strong Strong to Very Strong Strong Moderate to Strong Moderate Equal to Moderate Equal
Commands Common to All Sensitivity Graphs

Some commands and buttons are common to all the types of the sensitivity graphs. These are described here. File ? ? ? Print - prints what is currently visible on your display. Print Preview - displays what will be printed. Exit - closes the Sensitivity-Graph window. Options ? ? Home - returns the sensitivity analysis to its original state after temporarily alternating the priorities of the objectives. ? ? Sort - sorts the priorities shown in the sensitivity from best to worst, versus the order of presentation. Window
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? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Performance - selects the Performance Sensitivity graph. Dynamic - selects the Dynamic Sensitivity graph. Gradient - selects the Gradient Sensitivity graph. Head to Head - selects the Head to Head Sensitivity graph. 2D Plot - selects the Two Dimensional Plot.
Arrange - displays multiple graphs in the order they were opened. Open Four - opens all four Sensitivity graphs: Performance, Dynamic, Gradient, and Head to Head ? Close All - closes all sensitivity graphs that are currently open.
Using Keypads to Make Verbal Judgments

? Press a number from 1-9 on the keypad to represent a numerical Representation of a verbal Judgment. (If the facilitator projects the verbal comparison window, use the scale at the bottom of the window to determine what button to press when making a judgment.
For example, if you feel the paired comparison is equal you would press one. If you felt the comparison was a magnitude of order in difference you would press 9. Remember you are not entering a number but are entering shorthand notation for the verbal comparison being made.
Note: All keypad entries default to the first (left) factor being compared.
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To invert the judgment, switching the dominance of the judgment, from the left to the right or vice versa, you must press * (the asterisk key) either before or after pressing the number that represents the verbal comparison. (To determine if you want to do this, look at the projected verbal comparison window.)
To clear a judgment, press the 10 key. The facilitator can enter judgments for participants by going to either their instance of the model or he/she can enter judgments for participants from Assessment Pairwise Individual or Assessment Individual (Data Grid) windows. This is useful when a participant requests that the facilitator change an entry.
Examples and Explanations of Queries

Queries can either be singular or compound.
Single queries:
Two examples of single queries are All and Participating. 1. 2. 3. The query for All is Select * from People order by PID This query displays all entries in the database. Select * means select all fields. From People refers to the participants table. Order by PID refers to each participant id defined. The query for Participating is Select * from People where Participating order by PID This query displays all records in the file whose Participating column is checked. 4. Select * from People Where Sex='F' is another singular query that will display all entries in the database who are female. Note the single quotes around F. 5. Select * from People Where Status ='Single' is another single query but requires 5 letters in quotes as this is what was entered in the Status column. Other entries might be Married, Divorced and Widowed. Similar quotes can be defined for other columns in the Participants table such as age and Incon (inconsistency).
Compound queries:
Compound queries have more than one condition; each condition is separated with AND. 1. 2. Select * from People where Participating and Sex = Fdisplays all females whose Participating column is checked. Select * from People Where Sex='F' and Age>20 and Age<30 This query displays all females who are greater than 20 and less than 30. This query does not require that the participating column be checked. It is not the intent of Expert Choice to provide SQL expertise and it is highly recommended that you consult an SQL reference.
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Entering a Ratings with a Keypad:

Once the facilitator has selected the covering objective to be rated and turned on the keypads, use your individual keypad to either:
? ? ? ?
Press the number that represents the ratings intensity such as 2 for Very Good. Press * (asterisk) to enter a decimal point and then enter a number such as 345. To record the decimal value of .345, you must press *. The sequence of key presses is our example is *345*. To enter zero, press the ten (10) key. To clear a rating, press the asterisk key twice (**).
Entering Data for a Utility Curve with the Keypad:

Once the facilitator has selected the item to be valued using the Increasing Utility function and turned on the keypads, use your individual keypad to either: ? ? ? ? Press * (asterisk) to enter a decimal point and then enter a number such as 345. To record the decimal value of .345, you must press *. The sequence of key presses is our example is *345*. To enter an integer press the series of numbers, such as 765, then press ** (asterisk twice) To enter a zero, press the ten (10) key. Clear a utility curve value, press the asterisk key twice (**).
Entering a Priority with Keypads

Once the facilitator has selected the item that will be assigned a priority from 0. 1.0 and turned on the keypads, use your individual keypad to: ? Enter a priority in the range of zero to one (0 1.0). For example, press * (asterisk) to enter a decimal point and then enter a number such as 672. To record the decimal value of .672, you must press *. The sequence of key presses is our example is *345*.
Selecting Keypad Options

This window is used to set various keypad options. Use this window prior to each session. From this window you can: ? ? ? ? Designate the maximum number of keypads that will be used in your session. Designate a Com port; the default is 1. You may need to reconfigure your system. Designate a Facilitator keypad. Designate the number of waves that can be used with the keypads. The default is 1. If, for example, there are twelve participants and only eight keypads, you could set the number of Keypads to 8 and the Wave Number to 1. When the first eight participants have made judgments,
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four of the keypads will be passed to the next "wave" of participants (persons 9 12). Before they made their judgments, the facilitator would increase the wave number to 2. (This also requires that you change persons 9 12 to wave number 2 in the Participant Table.) ? Keypads off when you move If this box is checked the keypads will be turned off when you move to a new judgment to be made or a new cell in the Data Grid to be rated or valued. This feature permits the facilitator to control when judgments or data will be entered. Autokeypad If this box is checked then software will always attempt to turn on the keypads when a model is loaded. Anonymous If this box is checked then participantsnames, if entered are masked to person 1, person 2 etc. Future participants will also be masked. Templates button displays and prints the keypad templates as a participant aid. One template can be used when making verbal or numerical paired comparisons as well as entering Ratings or data values when at the Data Grid. The other template can be used when making graphical judgments.
? ? ?
You can reach the Keypad Options window from any paired comparison window or the Data Grid. ? ? From ModelView select Assessment then select Pairwise. Then select Assessment Individual.
? ?
From the Data Grid select Assessment. Then select Individual.
Then from either individual window select File Keypads Options. You will be taken to a window where you will enter the information just specified. TIP: You may select any valid keypad number as the facilitator keypad; for simplicity we suggest using number 1. If you select this option many features can be accessed using this keypad rather than using the keyboard. Note: The facilitator keypad remains active (on) whenever the Receiver is on. (Should you use this option the facilitator keypad is not available for participant use.)
Using Keypads Anonymously

If this option is selected then Person 1, Person 2, etc. will appear in a window masking the actual participants names. This is by design so each participant can see what judgment/value or vote was entered when all judgments/values/votes are displayed. This may not be sufficient for some groups as people will be able to tell who is using what keypad. If this is the case, we suggest the following procedure: ? Prior to the session change the keypad label for each keypad from numbers to alphabetic characters. Mix up the characters noting which keypad is 2. For example it could be Q while JJ could be 7. Then pass out folded pieces of paper with each keypad telling the person what their person ID really is. (Of course, participants can always identify the internal number of their keypad by
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pressing and holding down the CLR button, but if you tell them how to do this it might lead to them experimenting and changing the ID s themselves.) An even better way is to remove all keypad numbers. Pass out the keypads randomly. Then in the middle of the session (or when ever desired) have the participants switch keypads. This has two negatives no one will be able to determine if they entered their votes correctly and you will not be able to get accurate group demographics.
Object Linking & Embedding

You can insert shortcuts (links) or embed files within any Expert Choice Information Document. This very powerful feature enables you to document the rationale of your decision process as well as execute other programs. The process to link or embed files is dependent on your operating system: This is what we recommend. 1. 2. With an open Information Document or Note open position to the cursor to the insertion position within the Information Document or Note. With Windows Explorer navigate to the file to be linked or embedded. a. For Windows 2000 and other versions: Drag a rich text file icon such as .xls, .ppt, or .doc from Windows Explorer into the opened Information Document or Note. Then a link (shortcut) to the file will be created. This saves space, but the file won't be available on other computers if the .ahp model is copied. If you want to "embed the object" (the file), select File, Open from the Information Document or Note menu. Next navigate to the file to be linked or embedded and select it. b. For Windows 98 and earlier: Drag the file into the Information Document or Note. Then the file will be embedded in the Information Document or Note: Alternatively select File, Open from the Information Document or Note menu. Next navigate to the file to be embedded and select it. Windows 98 only supports embedding. Note: You can embed several in one Information Document or Note, intermixed with text if desired. 3. Lastly close the Information Document or Note.
How to View or Execute the Linked to Embedded Documents

There are several ways to open and execute linked and embedded files.
Example One: How to Open an Embedded File.

1. 2. From an opened Information Document or Note, double-click on the embedded file to make the Excel commands available within the Expert Choice window. Then Expert Choice s file menu will disappear and it will be replaced by the embedded program's menu, in this case Excel.
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3. 4.
Alter the embedded file using Excel. To close the embedded file and executing program, in this case, Excel, you must click x in the upperright corner of the window or press Alt-Spacebar.
Example Two: Another way to open an embedded file.

1. 2. Open an Information Document or Note and right-click on the embedded document. When a pop-up list appears, select Worksheet Object, Open. You will be taken to the embedded program. Now continue as described above.
Example Three: How to Open a Shortcut (link). 1. 2. 3. 4. From an opened or closed Information Document or an opened Note and double-click on the shortcut (link). Then you will be taken to that program. To close the program click x in the upper-right corner of the window. Then if need be closed the Information Document or Note.
Active Alternatives
Alternatives displayed in the ModelView's Alternatives pane are known as active alternatives. They can only be inactivated but not deleted.
Global Alternatives
All alternatives displayed in the Data Grid are known as global alternatives. Only global alternatives can be deleted from the model. If you want to include a subset of the global alternatives in the ModelView's Alternative pane you must select and extract them
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Index
2
2D.................................................................................................................................58 2-D ...............................................................................................................................85 2D Plot..............................................................................................................34, 40, 94
A
Abandon Changes ........................................................................................................16 Absolute Measurement ...........................................................................................78, 85 Accessing a Model Over the Web..................................................................................78 Active Alternatives ............................................................................................13, 43, 78 Active Participants ............................................................................................59, 77, 78 adding......................................................................................................... 13, 14, 15, 42 Information documents..................................................................................................14 Notes ............................................................................................................................15 Adding Alternatives in Bottom Up Structuring ................................................................22 Adding Alternatives in Top Down Structuring.................................................................21 Adding Alternatives to the Data Grid..............................................................................42 Adding Information Documents .....................................................................................14 Adding Notes ................................................................................................................15 Adding Pros and Cons for Each Alternative ...................................................................22 Adding the Objectives and Sub-objectives.....................................................................11 Adding the Objectives and Sub-objectives to ModelView's TreeView .............................11 All Pros/Cons ................................................................................................................63 Alternatives.............................................................. 10, 13, 14, 42, 43, 51, 61, 78, 79, 83 renaming.......................................................................................................................13 Alternatives pane ........................................................................................................87 Alts/Children/InfoDocs...................................................................................................62 analytical hierachy process (AHP) .................................................................................51 menu ............................................................................................................................51 Apply button..................................................................................................................75 Art of Modeling..............................................................................................................54 Assessed Indicators ......................................................................................................62 Assessment ................................................................................................ 24, 26, 79, 83 Assessment Menu Commands.................................................................... 23, 26, 27, 51 Autoadvance...........................................................................................................79, 88 Autoredraw .............................................................................................................79, 85
B
Best Fit ...................................................................................................................31, 79 Bottom up Structuring ...................................................................................................79 Bottom-up .....................................................................................................................20 Building the Hierarchy ...................................................................................................23
C
Calculation tab ..............................................................................................................88 Checkmark ...................................................................................................................43 Child Node....................................................................................................................79 Clipboard ................................................................................................................59, 60
101
ClusterView................................................................................................. 20, 63, 79, 83 Color Scheme Used with Team (Group) Models............................................................66 Combine Individuals Judgments....................................................................................77 Combined Model...........................................................................................................73 Creating........................................................................................................................73 Combining Individual Judgments from...........................................................................74 ModelView ....................................................................................................................74 Combining Individual Judgments from the ModelView ...................................................74 Combining Individual Judgments from the TreeView......................................................74 Combining Individuals Judgments from the Data Grid....................................................75 Combining Judgments and/or Data ...............................................................................73 Combining Judgments and/or Data from the Participants Table.....................................73 Commands Common to All Sensitivity Graphs...............................................................94 Common Keypad Troubleshooting Questions................................................................69 Comparisons - Modes of ...............................................................................................79 Complete Hierarchy ......................................................................................................80 Contract All ...................................................................................................................62 Conventions................................................................................................................... 9 Converting a Team (Group Model) ................................................................................66 Converting a Team (Group Model) from Version 9.5......................................................66 Converting from Version 9.5..........................................................................................19 Converting to an Incomplete Hierarchy....................................................................18, 81 Copy Formula .........................................................................................................43, 53 Copy Judgments/Data...................................................................................................61 Existing Participants......................................................................................................61 Copy Plex ...............................................................................................................12, 60 Copy Plex and Drag ......................................................................................................12 Copy to participants ......................................................................................................88 Copying ..................................................................................................................43, 61 Formula ........................................................................................................................43 N new people................................................................................................................61 Covering Objective............................................................................................43, 59, 80 Creatg Web Models .....................................................................................................77 Creating............................................................................................................10, 64, 73 Combined Model...........................................................................................................73 File ...............................................................................................................................10 Team Model..................................................................................................................64 Creating a Decreasing Utility Function in the Data Grid .................................................49 Creating a File (Model) and Goal Description ................................................................19 Creating a Ratings Formula in the Data Grid .................................................................45 Creating a Step Function in the Data Grid .....................................................................47 Creating a Team Model / Group Enabling......................................................................64 Creating an Increasing Utility Function in the Data Grid .................................................48 Criterion............................................................................................................11, 20, 84 Criterion / Criteria..........................................................................................................80 Ctrl-B ............................................................................................................................87 Ctrl-D............................................................................................................................87 Ctrl-E ............................................................................................................................87 Ctrl-H............................................................................................................................87 Ctrl-I..............................................................................................................................87 Ctrl-J.............................................................................................................................87 Ctrl-L.............................................................................................................................87 Ctrl-P ............................................................................................................................87 Current Node ..........................................................................................................11, 20 Insert Child ...................................................................................................................11 Insert Sibling .................................................................................................................11
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D
Data Clear All................................................................................................................59 Data Grid ................................................................... 9, 13, 42, 43, 50, 79, 80, 83, 85, 88 Entering Priorities Directly in .........................................................................................50 Data Grid Edit Menu Commands...................................................................................59 Data Grid Overview.......................................................................................................41 Data Grid View Menu Commands .................................................................................62 Data Source Name........................................................................................................77 Data/Ratings Wizard .....................................................................................................54 Decreasing Utility Function............................................................................................49 Decreasing Utility Function Formula ..............................................................................49 Entering ........................................................................................................................49 Default Facilitator Menus...............................................................................................51 Defer Calculations.........................................................................................................88 Define Pros and Cons for Each Alterantive....................................................................22 Delete Node..................................................................................................................12 Deleting ........................................................................................................................12 Nodes ...........................................................................................................................12 Deleting Alternatives from .............................................................................................42 Data Grid ................................................................................................................42, 43 Deleting Alternatives from the Data Grid........................................................................42 Deleting an Information Document or Note ....................................................................16 Deleting Nodes in the ModelView's ClusterView ............................................................21 Deleting Nodes in the TreeView ....................................................................................12 Designating a Facilitator Keypad ...................................................................................97 Details ..........................................................................................................................58 Details tabs ...................................................................................................................93 Diagonal Radomize Sequential.....................................................................................................................88 Diagonal Pairwise ...................................................................................................29, 80 Direct......................................................................................................................59, 80 Direct Entry...................................................................................................................28 Priorities........................................................................................................................28 Direct- Instead ..............................................................................................................51 Display Priorities in ModelView......................................................................................16 Display priorities in TreeView ........................................................................................16 Displaying Priorities in ModelView .................................................................................16 Displaying the Current Nodes Children in the Alternatives Pane ....................................16 Distributive....................................................................................................................34 Distributive or Ideal mode........................................................................................58, 93 Distributive synthesis ........................................................................................33, 80, 94 DSN........................................................................................................................77, 78 creating a DSN model ...................................................................................................77 opening a DSN model ...................................................................................................53 Dynamic............................................................................................................34, 58, 85 Dynamic Sensitivity...........................................................................................36, 37, 95
E
Edit ............................................................................................................. 11, 20, 57, 60 edit menu......................................................................................................................60 inconsistency ..........................................................................................................30, 31 ratings...........................................................................................................................45 Empty Trash .................................................................................................................60 Enable Structuring ........................................................................................................20
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Entering ................................................................................................ 45, 46, 47, 49, 50 Decreasing Utility Function Formula ..............................................................................49 Increasing Utility Curve Function Formula .....................................................................49 Intensity Name..............................................................................................................45 Rating ...........................................................................................................................45 Ratings Formula............................................................................................................45 Step Function Formula..................................................................................................47 Entering Individuals Judgments and Data in a Group Model .........................................71 Entering a Consensus Judgment...................................................................................71 Entering a Group Priority with keypads..........................................................................97 Entering a Group Rating with a keypad .........................................................................97 Entering a priority with keypads.....................................................................................97 Entering a Ratings with a Keypad..................................................................................97 Entering a Step Value with a Keypad ............................................................................89 Entering a Value for an Increasing or Decreasing Utility Curve ......................................49 Entering an Increasing Utility Curve Value in the Data Grid ...........................................49 Entering Data for a Utility Curve with the Keypad...........................................................97 Entering Group Data for a Utility Curve with the keypad.................................................97 Entering Priorities Directly in .........................................................................................50 Data Grid ......................................................................................................................50 Entering Priorities Directly in the Data Grid....................................................................50 Entering Step Intensities ...............................................................................................47 Entire Plex ....................................................................................................................51 Erase Judgments ..........................................................................................................51 Erase Judgments ..........................................................................................................51 Entire Plex ....................................................................................................................51 Erase Node's Judgments ..............................................................................................51 Examples and Explanations of Queries .........................................................................96 Excel.............................................................................................................................59 Existing Participants......................................................................................................62 Copy Judgments/Data...................................................................................................61 Exit - Ends ....................................................................................................................53 Expand All ....................................................................................................................62 Extract Selected................................................................................................13, 43, 59 Hierarchy ......................................................................................................................13
F
Facilitator......................................................................................................................73 Facilitator Menus Overview ...........................................................................................70 File ...............................................................................................................................53 Delete - Deletes ............................................................................................................53 Open - Opens ...............................................................................................................53 File Menu Commands ...................................................................................................53 File Structure ..........................................................................................................19, 67 Finish Top Down Structuring .........................................................................................21 First Create a File (Model) and Goal Description ...........................................................19 First Level .....................................................................................................................62 Formula Grid............................................................................................... 43, 54, 80, 87 Formula Grid Menu .......................................................................................................80 Formulas Grid ...............................................................................................................80 Formulas Grid Menu .....................................................................................................80 Formulas Grid Menu Commands...................................................................................53 FormulaType...........................................................................................................47, 49
104
G
Gap Analysis.................................................................................................................80 General tab.............................................................................................................58, 89 Geometric Average .......................................................................................................81 Geometric Indicator.......................................................................................................81 Getting Started..............................................................................................................10 Global Alternatives..................................................................................................78, 81 Global Priority ...................................................................................................62, 81, 84 Go Menu Commands ....................................................................................................54 Goal..................................................................................................................58, 81, 83 Goal Description ...........................................................................................................10 Goal Node ....................................................................................................................81 Gradient............................................................................................................34, 58, 85 Gradient Sensitivity .................................................................................................38, 95 Grandchild ....................................................................................................................81 graphical.................................................................................................................27, 28 making judgments.........................................................................................................27 Graphical Comparison Mode.........................................................................................81
H
Head to Head Sensitivity ...............................................................................................39 Head_to_head ........................................................................................................34, 58 Head_to_Head Sensitivity .......................................................................................39, 94 Head-to-Head .........................................................................................................39, 85 selecting .......................................................................................................................39 help ..............................................................................................................................54 menu ............................................................................................................................54 Help Menu ....................................................................................................................54 Hide Ideal .....................................................................................................................89 Hierarchy ...................................................................................12, 13, 21, 79, 80, 81, 86 Extract Selected............................................................................................................13 Hierarchy building .........................................................................................................85 Home icon ....................................................................................................................34 How the Hardware and Keypads are Activated..............................................................70 How the Hardware and Keypads are Used ....................................................................70 How the Hardware and Keypads are Used. ...................................................................70 How to Synthesize ........................................................................................................34
I
Ideal..............................................................................................................................34 Ideal Synthesis .................................................................................................33, 83, 93 Importing & Exporting to Excel ......................................................................................32 Importing & Exporting to/from any Pairwise Window ......................................................32 Importing & Exporting to/from Data Grid ........................................................................44 Improving Inconsistency..........................................................................................30, 31 Inactivate .........................................................................................................13, 60, 61 Inactivate All ...........................................................................................................13, 60 inactivating alternatives .................................................................................................13 inactivating and reactivating ..........................................................................................13 Inactivating and Reactivating Alternatives......................................................................13 Include Ideal Alternative................................................................................................89 Incomplete Hierarchy .................................................................................. 18, 30, 53, 81 Inconsistencies .......................................................................................................30, 79 Understanding ........................................................................................................30, 31 Inconsistency INDEX ....................................................................................................82
105
Inconsistency Ratio...........................................................................................30, 31, 82 Increasing Utility Curve Function ...................................................................................48 Increasing Utility Curve Function Formula .....................................................................49 Entering ........................................................................................................................49 Increasing Utility Function .......................................................................................48, 49 Interpreting ...................................................................................................................48 Index.............................................................................................................................54 Information Document.......................................................................................59, 82, 83 Information documents..................................................................................................14 Adding ..........................................................................................................................14 Insert Child .............................................................................................................11, 60 Current Node ................................................................................................................11 Insert Sibling ...........................................................................................................11, 60 Current Node ................................................................................................................11 Intensity ........................................................................................................................85 Intensity Scales.............................................................................................................83 Interpreting .............................................................................................................46, 48 Increasing Utility Function .............................................................................................48 Rating .....................................................................................................................45, 46 Step Function................................................................................................................47 Interpreting a Rating......................................................................................................46 Interpreting a Step Function ..........................................................................................48 Interpreting an Increasing or Decreasing Utility Function ...............................................50 Interpreting the Step Function .......................................................................................47 Introduction.................................................................................................................... 9 Invert ............................................................................................................................83 Invert icon .........................................................................................................24, 26, 27
J
Judgment......................................................................................................................83 Judgment Order............................................................................................................88 Judgments ............................................................................................ 24, 25, 26, 27, 28
K
Keypad Hardware .........................................................................................................67
L
Local Priority.....................................................................................................62, 83, 84 lower bound of step function..........................................................................................47
M
Made Active..................................................................................................................43 Make Group Graphical Judgments ................................................................................72 Using Keypads..............................................................................................................72 Make Group Judgments Using the Data Grid.................................................................72 Make Group Numerical Judgments ...............................................................................72 Using Keypads..............................................................................................................72 Make Group Verbal Judgments ...............................................................................72, 95 Using Keypads........................................................................................................72, 95 Making a Factor Dormant from the Pairwise Comparison Matrix ....................................29 Making Diagonal Pairwise Judgments ...........................................................................29 making factors dormant...........................................................................................51, 58 assessment...................................................................................................................51 edit ...............................................................................................................................60 participant .....................................................................................................................57
106
sensitivity......................................................................................................................58 synthesize.....................................................................................................................58 Making Graphical Judgments ..................................................................................23, 27 Making Group Graphical judgments ..............................................................................91 Making Group Numerical Judgments.............................................................................92 Making Individual Judgments (Pairwise Comparisons) ..................................................72 Making Individual Judgments (Pairwise Comparisons) On a Network or the Web ..........72 Making Individual Judgments (Pairwise Comparisons) With Keypads ............................72 Making Individual Judgments Using the Data Grid.........................................................72 Making Individual Judgments Using the Data Grid on a Network or the Web .................72 Making Individual Judgments Using the Data Grid With Keypads ..................................73 Making Numerical Judgments .................................................................................23, 26 Making Paired Comparisons ......................................................................... 9, 23, 51, 85 Making Verbal Judgments.......................................................................................23, 24 Model........................................................................................................................9, 53 Building.......................................................................................................................... 9 Creating......................................................................................................................... 9 opens............................................................................................................................53 ModelView ............................................................................................ 10, 54, 60, 79, 83 ModelView Overview.....................................................................................................10 ModelView View Menu Commands ...............................................................................62 ModelView's Alternatives.........................................................................................59, 78 ModelView's Assessment menu ....................................................................................51 ModelView's ClusterView ..............................................................................................21 Deleting Nodes in..........................................................................................................21 ModelView's TreeView ..................................................................................................11 Renaming Nodes in.......................................................................................................11 Moving....................................................................................................................12, 21 Nodes ....................................................................................................................12, 21 Moving Nodes in the ClusterView ..................................................................................21
N
New - Creates ...............................................................................................................53 New Copy .....................................................................................................................88 New Participant.............................................................................................................88 New Participant.............................................................................................................88 New Copy .....................................................................................................................88 NewTopic 1...................................................................................................................21 Next Unassessed ..........................................................................................................54 Node..................................................................................................... 12, 21, 60, 61, 83 Deleting ........................................................................................................................12 Moving....................................................................................................................12, 21 None.............................................................................................................................59 None - Deleting a Formula Type....................................................................................43 Note........................................................................................................................60, 84 Notes ............................................................................................................................15 Adding ..........................................................................................................................15 numerical..........................................................................................................26, 27, 51 making judgments.........................................................................................................26 Numerical Comparison Mode ........................................................................................84 Numerical equivilents ....................................................................................................26 numerical representations of verbal judgments..............................................................94
O
O o Importance .............................................................................................................51
107
O o Likelihood...............................................................................................................51 O o Preference .............................................................................................................51 Object Linking & Embedding .........................................................................................99 Object Linking & Embedding Other Files in Information Dcouments or Notes.................99 Object Linking & Embedding Other Files in Information Documents or Notes.................99 Object Linking and Embedding......................................................................................99 Objective....................................................................................................... 9, 83, 84, 86 objectives.............................................................................................. 10, 11, 20, 51, 60 Only Selected Covering.................................................................................................59 Open - Opens ...............................................................................................................53 file.................................................................................................................................53 Open Four Graphs ........................................................................................................58 Open tab.................................................................................................................58, 88 Opening..................................................................................................................17, 65 Existing Model ..............................................................................................................17 Team Model..................................................................................................................65 Opening a Model.....................................................................................................17, 65 Opens...........................................................................................................................53 model............................................................................................................................53 options..........................................................................................................................28 Other Expert Choice Documentation .............................................................................86
P
paired comparisons..................................................................................... 17, 29, 51, 86 Pairwise ..................................................................................................................51, 79 Pairwise Comparison Process........................................................................................ 9 pairwise comparisons............................................... 12, 23, 29, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 90 copying .........................................................................................................................12 Pairwise Comparisons / Paired Comparisons ................................................................84 Pairwise Comparisons / Paired ComparisonsMaking_Paired_Comparisons...................84 Pairwise Individual Menu...............................................................................................55 Pairwise Individual Menu Commands ............................................................................55 Parent Node..................................................................................................................84 Participants.......................................................................................................64, 65, 84 Participants Table .................................................................................................65, 73 Combining Judgments and/or Data from .......................................................................73 Participants Table Commands.......................................................................................57 Participants Table Edit Menu Commands ......................................................................61 Participants window ......................................................................................................75 Participating..................................................................................................................65 Paste All .......................................................................................................................59 Paste Children ..............................................................................................................60 Perform Autosave .........................................................................................................89 Performance .....................................................................................................34, 58, 85 Performance Sensitivity...........................................................................................36, 95 Plex ..................................................................................................................51, 60, 84 Print - Prints ..................................................................................................................53 Print Preview.................................................................................................................53 Print Report...................................................................................................................53 Printing and Reports .................................................................................................9, 50 Priority ........................................................................................................ 28, 81, 83, 84 Direct Entry...................................................................................................................28 Priority Fills .............................................................................................................10, 62 Priority Results..............................................................................................................16 ProCon .........................................................................................................................63 Programming the Keypads ............................................................................................68
108
Q
query ................................................................................................................75, 76, 77 Quick Start Guide......................................................................................................9, 54
R
Rating ...........................................................................................................................46 Entering ........................................................................................................................45 Interpreting .............................................................................................................45, 46 Ratings ............................................................................................. 9, 45, 46, 80, 83, 85 Entering ........................................................................................................................45 Ratings Formula............................................................................................................45 Entering ........................................................................................................................45 Ratings Overview..........................................................................................................45 reactivating alternatives.................................................................................................13 Receiver and Keypad Hardware Overview ....................................................................67 Redraw ...................................................................................................................84, 85 Relative Measurement ............................................................................................78, 85 Renaming Alternatives in the ModelView.......................................................................13 Renaming Nodes in the ModelView's TreeView.............................................................11 Replicate.......................................................................................................................59 All Participants ..............................................................................................................59 Respect ........................................................................................................................58 Current Node ................................................................................................................58 Goal..............................................................................................................................58 results...........................................................................................................................16 Revert......................................................................................................... 17, 54, 59, 61 rollup.............................................................................................................................18
S
Save As ........................................................................................................................53 Save Backup Copies.....................................................................................................89 Save tab .................................................................................................................58, 89 Saves ...........................................................................................................................53 Select All/DeSelect All...................................................................................................59 Select FormulaType ......................................................................................................50 Selected Parent Plex.....................................................................................................59 Selecting............................................................................................... 35, 37, 38, 39, 40 2-D Plot.........................................................................................................................40 Sensitivity-Graphs....................................................................................... 35, 36, 38, 40 Selecting Keypad Options .............................................................................................97 Selecting Synthesis Type ..............................................................................................34 Sensitivity Analyses Graphs ..........................................................................................86 Sensitivity Analysis............................................................................................34, 35, 85 sensitivity graphs ........................................................................................ 35, 36, 38, 58 dynamic sensitivity ........................................................................................................36 gradient sensitivity ..................................................................................................38, 39 performance sensitivity..................................................................................................35 Sensitivity-Graphs.........................................................................................................35 selecting .......................................................................................................................35 Sensitivity-Graphs Menu Commands.............................................................................58 Shortcut Keys..............................................................................................................87 Sibling Node .................................................................................................................85 Sort Cluster...................................................................................................................60 Specifying .....................................................................................................................53 URL ..............................................................................................................................53
109
SQL Queries .................................................................................................................75 SQL query ....................................................................................................................57 Step Function.......................................................................................... 9, 47, 80, 83, 85 Interpreting ...................................................................................................................47 Step Function Formula..................................................................................................47 Entering ........................................................................................................................47 Step Function Overview ................................................................................................46 Structural Adjust................................................................................................23, 30, 85 Structuring ................................................................................................................9, 85 Sub-Objective ...................................................................................................11, 21, 83 Sub-Objective (Sub-Criterion)........................................................................................86 Sub-sub-objective .........................................................................................................81 Summary tab ................................................................................................................93 synthesis.......................................................................................................................93 Synthesis ................................................................................................ 9, 33, 34, 86, 93 distributive synthesis .....................................................................................................33 ideal synthesis ..............................................................................................................33 summary Tab................................................................................................................93 Synthesis Mode ............................................................................................................62 Synthesis Overview.......................................................................................................33 Synthesis Summary Tab ...............................................................................................93 synthesize menu ...........................................................................................................65 opening.........................................................................................................................65 Synthesize Menu Commands........................................................................................58 Synthesize Summary ....................................................................................................58 Synthesizing................................................................................................................34 Group...........................................................................................................................34 Synthesizing Overview ..................................................................................................33
T
Team Expert Choice ...................................................................................................... 9 Team Model............................................................................................................64, 65 Creating........................................................................................................................65 Opening........................................................................................................................65 The Facilitator's Role.....................................................................................................63 Tools Options Menu ......................................................................................................58 Top Down or Bottom Up................................................................................................19 Top Down Structuring ...................................................................................................86 Top-down......................................................................................................................20 Transformation - a Special Case .............................................................................43, 90 trash can..................................................................................................... 12, 21, 60, 62 TrashCan......................................................................................................................12 TreeView ...................................................................................10, 11, 60, 79, 83, 86, 88 Tutorials....................................................................................................................9, 54
U
Understanding Inconsistency ........................................................................................30 Undo.......................................................................................................................17, 59 URL ........................................................................................................................53, 77 specifying......................................................................................................................53 Use .........................................................................................................................93, 94 Distributive..............................................................................................................93, 94 Ideal..............................................................................................................................93 Use Keypads to Make Group Verbal Judgments...........................................................95 Use Keypads to Make Group Graphical Judgments.......................................................91
110
Use Keypads to Make Group Numerical Judgments......................................................92 Using Keypads Anonymously........................................................................................98 Using Keypads to Make Group Verbal Judgments........................................................95 Using Keypads to Make Verbal Judgments ..................................................................95 Using Keypads to Make Graphical Judgments...............................................................91 Using Keypads to Make Group Graphical Judgments ....................................................91 Using Keypads to Make Group Numerical Judgments ...................................................92 Using Keypads to Make Numerical Judgments..............................................................92 Using Keypads to Make Verbal Judgments ...................................................................95 Utility Curves.......................................................................................................9, 80, 86 Utility Curves Overview .................................................................................................48
V
Values ..........................................................................................................................47 Entering ........................................................................................................................48 verbal.......................................................................................................... 24, 25, 26, 51 making judgments.........................................................................................................24 Verbal Comparison Mode..............................................................................................86 Verbal Comparisons window .........................................................................................24 View Children..........................................................................................................60, 62 Current Node ..........................................................................................................60, 61 View tab..................................................................................................................58, 87 View the List of All Pros and Cons.................................................................................22
W
Web..............................................................................................................................55 Expert Choice ...............................................................................................................55 Web Models........................................................................................................9, 53, 77 Creating........................................................................................................................77 What the Facilitator Does ..............................................................................................90 What-if ..........................................................................................................................86 When to Use the Data Grid ...........................................................................................42
111

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Table of Contents

Introduction Conventions Getting Started / Building a Model in the TreeView 9 9 10

Structuring - Another Way to Build A Model

Pairwise Comparison Process - Making Judgments

Data Grid Functions

Printing and Reports Menus - Expert Choice Menus

Printing and Reports .................................................................................. 50

Team and Enterprise Features

Appendix of Expert Choice Terms & Concepts

Other Expert Choice Documentation Shortcut Keys View tab 87

TreeView and Alternatives panes................................................... 88

Calculation tab Open tab Save tab 88 89

Renaming Nodes in the ModelView's ClusterView

To rename a node: .............................................................................. 89 Entering a Step Value with a Keypad ......................................................... 89

Choosing a Mode of Synthesis............................................................. 93 Ideal Synthesis .............................................................................. 93 Distributive Synthesis .................................................................... 94

How to View or Execute the Linked to Embedded Documents.............. 99

Active Alternatives Global Alternatives

A comprehensive glossary is found in the last chapter.

Getting Started / Building a Model in the TreeView ModelView Overview

The TreeView (the left pane) displays the hierarchy.

The Alternatives pane (top-right) shows the active alternatives.

Creating a File and Goal Description

Adding the Objectives and Sub-objectives to ModelView's TreeView

To add sub-objectives below an Objective:

To add an objective to an existing model:

Renaming Nodes in the ModelView's TreeView

Deleting Nodes in the TreeView

To Open the TrashCan:

To move nodes back into the TreeView (hierarchy):

Copy Plex and Drag

Moving Nodes in the TreeView

Adding Alternatives to the ModelView

Alternatives can also added from the Data Grid.

Renaming Alternatives in the ModelView

Inactivating and Reactivating Alternatives

To inactivate alternatives from the Alternatives pane:

To inactivate alternatives from the Data Grid:

To reactivate alternatives - only available from the Data Grid:

Adding Information Documents

Dragging to Import Files to Information Documents:

To link or embed other documents see object linking and embedding.

Displaying Priorities in ModelView

Displaying the Current Nodes Children in the Alternatives Pane

Deleting an Information Document or Note

To Undo the Last Pairwise Comparison:

To Undo - Information Documents or Notes:

Converting to an Incomplete Hierarchy

Select File Select Convert to Incomplete Hierarchy

Converting from Version 9.5

Structuring - Another Way to Build A Model Top Down or Bottom Up

First Create a File (Model) and Goal Description

For a Newly Created Model with Only a Goal Node:

For Existing Models:

Top Down Structuring

To group sub-objectives within the ClusterView:

Moving Nodes in the ClusterView

Deleting Nodes in the ModelView's ClusterView

Adding Alternatives in Top Down Structuring

Alternatives can also added from the Data Grid.

Finish Top Down Structuring

Now you are ready to make paired comparisons.

Alternatives can also added from the Data Grid.

Adding Pros and Cons for Each Alternative