When to use it
Use it when participants can explain and challenge their comparisons.
When to be cautious
A precise weight does not remove subjective judgement. Inconsistency, dependence and rank reversal need attention.
Apply it
- Define the decision hierarchy without overlapping criteria.
- Elicit comparisons and examine consistency rather than concealing it.
- Test how robust the ranking is to reasonable changes in judgement.
An example in practice
A sourcing team disagrees about reliability versus flexibility. Pairwise discussion exposes the trade-off before any overall ranking is trusted.
Source & credit
Thomas L. Saaty developed the Analytic Hierarchy Process. This later paper by Saaty and Konrad Kułakowski explains its foundations; it is not its first publication.
Saaty & Kułakowski: Axioms of the Analytic Hierarchy Process
This explanation and example are independently written. The source is a reading reference; linking it does not grant permission to reuse its text, figures or assessments.