Purpose: Multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) has become increasingly essential for decision-making in complex environments. In response to this need, the pyDecision library, implemented in Python and available at https://bit.ly/3tLFGtH, has been developed to provide a comprehensive and accessible collection of MCDA methods. Methods: The pyDecision offers 70 MCDA methods, including AHP, TOPSIS, and the PROMETHEE and ELECTRE families. Beyond offering a vast range of techniques, the library provides visualization tools for more intuitive results interpretation. In addition to these features, pyDecision has integrated ChatGPT, an advanced Large Language Model, where decision-makers can use ChatGPT to discuss and compare the outcomes of different methods, providing a more interactive and intuitive understanding of the solutions. Findings: Large Language Models are undeniably potent but can sometimes be a double-edged sword. Its answers may be misleading without rigorous verification of its outputs, especially for researchers lacking deep domain expertise. It's imperative to approach its insights with a discerning eye and a solid foundation in the relevant field. Originality: With the integration of MCDA methods and ChatGPT, pyDecision is a significant contribution to the scientific community, as it is an invaluable resource for researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers navigating complex decision-making problems and seeking the most appropriate solutions based on MCDA methods.

Multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) is a widely used tool to support decisions in which a set of alternatives should be ranked or classified based on multiple criteria. Recent studies in MCDA have shown the relevance of considering not only current evaluations of each criterion but also past data. Past-data-based approaches carry new challenges, especially in time-varying environments. This study deals with this challenge via essential tools of signal processing, such as tensorial representations and adaptive prediction. More specifically, we structure the criteria' past data as a tensor and, by applying adaptive prediction, we compose signals with these prediction values of the criteria. Besides, we transform the prediction in the time domain into a most favorable decision making domain, called the feature domain. We present a novel extension of the MCDA method PROMETHEE II, aimed at addressing the tensor in the feature domain to obtain a ranking of alternatives. Numerical experiments were performed using real-world time series, and our approach is compared with other existing strategies. The results highlight the relevance and efficiency of our proposal, especially for nonstationary time series.

We present the Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis Methods Selection Software (MCDA-MSS). This decision support system helps analysts answering a recurring question in decision science: Which is the most suitable Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis method (or a subset of MCDA methods) that should be used for a given Decision-Making Problem (DMP)?. The MCDA-MSS includes guidance to lead decision-making processes and choose among an extensive collection (over 200) of MCDA methods. These are assessed according to an original comprehensive set of problem characteristics. The accounted features concern problem formulation, preference elicitation and types of preference information, desired features of a preference model, and construction of the decision recommendation. The applicability of the MCDA-MSS has been tested on several case studies. The MCDA-MSS includes the capabilities of (i) covering from very simple to very complex DMPs, (ii) offering recommendations for DMPs that do not match any method from the collection, (iii) helping analysts prioritize efforts for reducing gaps in the description of the DMPs, and (iv) unveiling methodological mistakes that occur in the selection of the methods. A community-wide initiative involving experts in MCDA methodology, analysts using these methods, and decision-makers receiving decision recommendations will contribute to expansion of the MCDA-MSS.

Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods are widely used in various fields and disciplines. While most of the research has been focused on the development and improvement of new MCDA methods, relatively limited attention has been paid to their appropriate selection for the given decision problem. Their improper application decreases the quality of recommendations, as different MCDA methods deliver inconsistent results. The current paper presents a methodological and practical framework for selecting suitable MCDA methods for a particular decision situation. A set of 56 available MCDA methods was analyzed and, based on that, a hierarchical set of methods characteristics and the rule base were obtained. This analysis, rules and modelling of the uncertainty in the decision problem description allowed to build a framework supporting the selection of a MCDA method for a given decision-making situation. The practical studies indicate consistency between the methods recommended with the proposed approach and those used by the experts in reference cases. The results of the research also showed that the proposed approach can be used as a general framework for selecting an appropriate MCDA method for a given area of decision support, even in cases of data gaps in the decision-making problem description. The proposed framework was implemented within a web platform available for public use at www.mcda.it.