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Tribium DECISIONS - Key Features
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FEATURE MATRIX
Hierarchical Objective Model
Tribium DECISIONS is based on principles of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA).
Decision problems are represented internally as a hierarchy of objectives (criteria or
decision) which translate the properties of alternatives into final evaluation.
Evaluation scores of alternatives can be then easily compared, ranked and analyzed
in very detail on many levels. In order to incorporate decision makers preferences
into the decision model, Tribium DECISIONS uses configurable preference functions
of various types which translate the raw quantifiable properties of alternatives
(inputs) into their utility values. Objectives (criteria), organized in the tree-like
hierarchies, may have defined special weighting (or ranking) in order to calculate
higher-level value from sub-objectives. This allows to manage the complexity of
large models, with hundreds of objectives and alternatives.

The methodology has been inspired by ideas and work of Ralph L. Keeney and
Howard Raiffa.

Tribium DECISIONS is unique product on the market with unparalleled flexibility of

modeling various decision problems and presenting results in various ways
graphically on charts as well in form of printable report (PDF).

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Easy to use and functional GUI

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The vision behind Tribium DECISIONS was to create an application for problem
modeling and evaluation with emphasis not only on functionality (capabilities) but
also easy to use for the user.

We based our technology on famous and powerful Eclipse RCP framework which
allows to manage multiple editors and views and other facilitation devices.

Our goal is to provide the best user experience with connection to quality of
solutions. In many places while the user moves and selects various elements in
editors, views automatically display various contextual information which is relevat
to specific situation/user focus. This feature improves graphical interface
effectiveness by providing most of relevant information with least effort from the
user.

Immediate evaluation and visualization of results

Preparation of the decision, collection of data, fine-tuning of the model is mundane
and incremental process. On each step of that process it is desired to see the partial
results of evaluation.
Tribium DECISIONS allows to evaluate and visualize promptly results of evaluation in
views immediately after any modification made on model or data entry.
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Qualitative and Qualitative Input Data
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Information about alternatives can be collected in form of quantitative, measurable
data, which can be easily expressed in numbers, like weight, age, size, etc. Tribium
DECISIONS provides decimal (numerical) and logical (binary) data types for that
purpose.
There is also descriptive type TEXT available for storing textual information which is
not used directly in evaluations.

While this form of description of real objects and phenomena is very useful for
calculations it is not sufficient in some situations when no such information is
available like in case of subjective evaluations.
In such cases Tribium DECISIONS allows to define qualitative (subjective) measures
of certain properties of alternatives in form of SYMBOLIC data type. The user may
create custom SYMBOLIC types and attach to them respective values for each of the
symbol. These values will be in turn used in evaluations of all alternatives.
Preference Functions
Every decision maker has his/her own preferences depending on specific and
usually unique decision context. In order to properly adjust the decision model and
provide useful results from evaluations it is necessary to incorporate these various
preferences into the decision model.
Tribium DECISION provides the mechanism of specifying the of the function of how
the input value (attribute of the alternative) will be transformed into utility value,
which can be then used to calculate utility value of the main objective in the model.
Those transformations are called preference functions and it is always assumed that
an terminal objective must specify such function if the value is provided by input or
the function (custom formula).
There is currently limited number of such functions (linear, triangular, exponential,
trapezoid) however it is planned to add more functions and even allow user to
define his/her own preference function formulas.
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Custom Formulas (Functions)
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Very useful feature of the Tribium DECISION application is the ability to define any
mathematical formulas from most popular algebraic operators and function. It is
done in the visual manner by defining the expression tree of the formula using the
mouse. Such formulas which are called functions can be used in the problem model
and generate values used later for evaluation (as source of values for an objective).
An example of the user defined formula in the problem of car selection can be
calculation of the cost of monthly expenses on gas.
Parameters
For certain decision problems it might be useful to define and use some variables
which values are specified for all alternatives (are independent on solution but are
used in some calculations in the model).

These variables are available in Tribium DECISIONS and are called parameters.
Parameters are assumed to be fixed across all alternatives during the period of
evaluation. Parameters can be freely referenced in mathematical formulas
(functions) used in the model.
In example for a problem of choosing between cars possible parameters can be fuel
price, climate parameters, average monthly commute distance, etc.
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Defining Goals and Constraints
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Each decision problem comes with inevitable constraints which limit use space of
exploration for best solution. All alternatives should be examined if they fit into
those set constraints and highlighted appropriately or even removed from the pool
of alternatives under consideration. Constraints are defined as simple mathematical
formula that must be satisfied if the solution (alternative) is to be accepted.
Goals have opposite meaning as constraints. They are defined by the mathematical
formulas which should be satisfied if the alternative meets specific goal
requirement. Use of goals is optional and do not restrict the pool of available
alternatives in the consideration, however defining goals is useful to highlight the
soluations which meet users presupposed assumptions about the best alternative.
Tribium DECISIONS allows to define complex structure of weighted constraints and
goals which are always evaluated against all alternatives and shown directly in the
alternative results view.
Sensitivity Analysis
Sensitivity Analysis is the simple and versatile tool to probe the decision problem
model by changing values on selected inputs (input or parameters) and observe
how these changes influence evaluation results. It is basically the What-If analysis
but heavily assisted by the application which can be convenient for the user.
Tribium DECISIONS provides the automatic functionality for the sensitivity analysis
where results are shown immediately on specialized charts showing specific
function of changes of values in several points of the model as well as the
magnitude (range) of those changes.
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Reporting to PDF
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The ability of the problem model to generate results of evaluation and present them
to the user in the meaningful way is essential. The next important feature is the
ability to share with others the results and conclusions along with other information
which is kept in the decision model. This goal can be achieved by producing
comprehensible reports, easy to use and to share with interested parties.
Tribium DECISIONS provides the functionality of generating reports and save them
in professionally looking PDF. The information in the report documents is presented
in informative, comprehensible and visually attractive form.
Reports can be generated using templates which specify the visaul form of the
report, fonts, colors, layout of elements, paragraphs, tables and pictures, etc.
Contents of paragraphs, captions while predefined, can be freely modified and
reformatted by the user according to his/her needs. Text can be formatted using
integrated text editor with Wiki-syntax.
Scope of the report can be also customized but choosing the parts of the report
which should find their way to the final report document. The user can just to show
the definition of the problem, or (partial) results only etc, in the report.

There are various different ways the user may benefit from use of the Tribium
DECISIONS application:

Better Understanding of the Problem

By careful modeling and systematized deep thinking of the problem users of
DMATRIX can achieve better picture of the problem, its scope, broad range of
potential alternatives and their own preferences on several aspects of the problem.b
This knowledge can effectively translate at the end of the process into powerful
problem analysis and ultimately - good quality of decisions within time constraints.

Effective Information Collection

It is important to identify and focus the research activities on specific areas of facts
and systematically collect important information to properly evaluate alternatives.
Use of DMATRIX facilitates effective managing of considerable amounts of data and
guides user through that process.

Improving Communication
Using decision support software all persons involved in decision making can clearly
see what criteria and preferences contribute to decision and how problem is
constructed. Each of the team members can provide his/her own input to the
problem description, alternatives or preferences and thus have important influence
on final outcome of decision process. This in turn increases feeling of the ownership
and commitment to the decision.
The information can be collected on the meetings (interactively) or in off-line mode
(i.e. before meetings, via telephone or email conversation) thus saving team
members' time.

Documenting Decisions
All information collected by the system, input values for alternatives, preferences of
stake-holders and decision makers with comments are kept together and can be
immediately and effortlessly generated into configurable and attractive looking PDF
reports (or other formats).
Problems once defined and documented can be later reused in similar
circumstances, adopted to new situation and alternatives thus effectively provide
good basis for decision action. Documenting decisions is also visual and tangible
measure of decision makers' effectiveness and professional skills.

Winning Consensus
Complex decisions frequently involve more than one party which members may not
share the same values and opinions. Using DMATRIX facilitates the process of
achieving consensus amongst negotiating parties or contributors. The impersonal
nature of evaluation process, objectiveness of the methodology, transparency of
preferences can strongly improve the process of negotiations and coming to final
decision with maximum satisfaction for all parties.

Uncovering hidden objectives, preferences, strong and weak points

Sometimes it is difficult to find criteria that will drive our decisions. Sometimes it is
even not clear what is the scope of the decision problem and about it's complexity.
Thinking and ordering important values, criteria and preferences may lead to
identify elements which existence and importance was not realized initially. This in
turn can contribute to better problem definition and improve quality of decisions.