The decision alternatives in this case are the maturity levels themselves. When, instead of evaluation, the decision problem is improvement related, a strategy must be worked out. In this case, the number of alternatives is considerable. We analyzed critical software related business decision problems. Different types of criteria and alternatives were recognized in each case.
Methods rank from simple binary evaluation to multiple level weighted average.
The table below summarizes the decision criteria and alternatives in case of various approaches. The large variety of MCDM problems justifies the development of humanized multiple criteria decision systems where the decision makers are allowed to learn about the decision problem itself while experimenting with both its formulation and solution. These kinds of systems merely put different tools and instruments at the decision makers' disposal. The user is allowed to define the set of alternatives, the set of criteria, the evaluation method. He can trace the effect of any change in one problem component to any other problem component.