Patent ID: 8370183
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method for performing a comparative evaluation of a plurality of alternative candidates in a trade study, the method comprising a computer performing the steps of: receiving a plurality of evaluation criteria for evaluating the alternative candidates; comparing pairs of the evaluation criteria, receiving relative weight associated with each compared pair of evaluation criteria, and calculating in response to the received relative weights an overall relative weight associated with each evaluation criteria; calculating an average overall relative weight; calculating an adjusted overall relative weight for at least one of the evaluation criteria as a function of the average overall relative weight and a flattening factor, wherein the flattening factor “N” is a real value ranging from 0 to 1; receiving an assigned evaluation value associated with each of the evaluation criteria for each of the alternative candidates; calculating a weighted rating for each evaluation criteria based on the assigned evaluation value and adjusted overall relative weight assigned each evaluation criteria; calculating a relative ranking of the alternative candidates by summing the weighted ratings calculated for each evaluation criteria; and displaying the relative ranking of the alternative candidates to a user.