PRODUCT METHOD OF ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS

This paper analyzes the rank reversal problem existed in AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) and proposes a revised method-Product method. In the new method, the concepts of priority and weight are strictly defined; the decision alternatives are separated from the criteria in the hierarchy structure; instead of weighted sum, exponential product is used for synthesis of priorities. Adding or deleting decision alternatives with relative measurement or changing scale with absolute measurement does not influence the rank of alternatives, but a new optimum decision alternative derived from the convex combination of original decision alternatives can be obtained as well.