Graphical User Interface for Multi-Objective Decision Support

Abstract

Multi-objective problems arise in various fields of application. Generally there is not a single optimal solution to these kind of problems but a set of Pareto optimal solutions with relative trade-offs. Which solution is the "best" in a given situation depends on the judgment of a decision maker. To support the decision maker in the decision process software tool support is desirable. This research proposal outlines a study focused on visual representation of alternative solutions and interactive solution space navigation. The study will explore a method to narrow the solution space considered by a search algorithm to the decision maker's areas of interest. The methods to specify the decision maker's preference through a graphical user interface and how this information is considered by the search algorithm are part of the research. According to the design science research approach a prototype of a software tool has been implemented. The application features a graphical user interface whereby a user is able to specify the preferred objective range for solutions. Two variants of a method to enable the multi-objective search algorithm to consider these preferences have been implemented and tested on example problems. The validation through experiments shows that the proposed methods are suitable to reduce computing time to and solutions in the preferred range compared to solving the problem without considering the decision maker's input.