## 4 Results and Discussion
### Multi-Criteria Decision Making Model Based on AHP
#### 4.2.2 Assigning Weights to Criteria  
Using AHP, a relative score is assigned to each criterion based on its importance with respect to the goal. The level of importance is measured by comparing two criteria based on a nine-point scale as shown in Table 2. We allocate the degree of importance of one element over another to each pair. The extraordinary superiority of one criterion over another is given a score of 9, and equality is given a score of 1. The reciprocal value is  
Figure 5: Hierarchical structure of the goal, criteria and alternatives. added if the second factor is more relevant than the first. As a result, we find values in the range of 1/9 to 9 [80; 81]. The proposed MCDM model was evaluated in the outsourcing industry by three case studies. The outcomes of these case studies were further reviewed by outsourcing specialists in other firms as well. The details of these case studies are as follows:  
Case study-1: For the first case study regarding the offshore outsourcing decision of application maintenance, the input was provided by the IBM Stockholm Sweden's outsourcing expert. The input values were provided according to the project nature and its requirements. We performed the sourcing decision based on the provided input by using our proposed MCDM model for the identification of ranking of the available alternatives. The outsourcing decision was shared back with two outsourcing specialists at IBM, Stockholm, Sweden who validated the result. Similarly, an Outsourcing Strategist and Consultant at Stairo Global LLC in the United States validated the findings of the same case study. Case study-2: Appendix A, contains the second case study (Tables A1-A7). The values for this case study were given by an IT professional at Vattenfall AB, Stockholm, Sweden. Using the MCDM model, the outsourcing decision was made based on the supplied input. The result was shared back with the IT specialist for verification, and the resulting ranking was validated. Similarly, the outcomes of this case study were further reviewed and validated by outsourcing specialists in other international companies, such as (B) Stockholm, Sweden and (C) Stockholm, Sweden. Case study-3: The third case study was performed and evaluated in the international company (A), London, England, UK. The results of this case study were also verified by the IT professional in an international organization (D), Dublin, Ireland. In the current paper, however, we only included case studies 1 and 2. Case study-1: The following is a full summary of the case study:  
Table 4, shows the values assigned to criteria and alternatives, in this case, by an outsourcing specialist from IBM Stockholm, Sweden. The project was evaluated for the offshore outsourcing decision based on its nature and the requirements, which are given below:  
The top three high requirements of the current project are the legal requirements, employee skills and cost:  
* Legal requirements: This application contains high legal requirements. * Employee skills: For the current project, the employee skills are crucial. * Cost: This project is not very cost sensitive, i.e., the project has a reasonable budget for maintenance. The following three requirements have a medium level of effect on sourcing decisions:  
* Poor communication: Communication has a medium level of influence on the current project. * Infrastructure: Quality of infrastructure has a medium level of influence on the current project. * Frequent requirement changes: Frequent requirement changes also has a medium level influence on the current project. The following three factors have low influence on the current project  
* Domain knowledge: For offshore outsourcing decision of the current project, domain knowledge has low influence. * Maturity level: For offshore outsourcing decision of the current project, maturity level has low influence. * Project management: For offshore outsourcing decision of the current project, project management has low influence.