Multi-criteria analysis, Multi-objective analysis, also abbreviated as AMO, is an instrument that is used to evaluate various possible solutions to a given problem, considering a variable number of criteria, it is used to support decision making in the selection of the most convenient solution. For example, focusing on the issue of water resources linked to an urban conglomerate, multi-criteria analysis could be applied to one or several cases such as, for example, the following:

It must be considered that the procedure is a methodological aid to decision making, which must be considered with due caution, since in any case, in the multi-criteria evaluation process, as well as in other procedures used for the same purpose, subjective factors cannot be completely eliminated.

To minimize the risk, a specific committee is generally formed, made up of the main actors involved in the issue, such as: Local authorities of the town, regional and national authorities as the case may be, and representatives of civil society. The actors involved must reach consensus to establish, among other things:

In a second phase, experts in the application of the method will apply the usual mathematical procedures (the “Scoring” method, the “Hierarchical Analytical Process” or another similar method), to conclude with a sensitivity analysis regarding the main variables, and in a third conclusive phase in which the results will be presented to the decision makers for validation, or to make the necessary adjustments.

Contenido

El momento en que generalmente se aplica este método, al interno del "Ciclo del Proyecto "Ciclo de Proyecto (ingeniería)")" es a la presentación del informe de alternativas, a nivel de estudio de factibilidad técnico, económico, social y ambiental, lo que en algunos países latinoamericanos se denomina "Estudio a nivel TESA".

The solutions

Let's consider five (5) possible solutions or configurations of Treatment plants for the treatment of wastewater from a medium-sized town:.

Each of the proposed systems will consider preliminary treatment (floating solids separators, grates, sand traps) as well as flow meters at the entrance (Parshall meter, weirs, etc.).