Ranking method · Zavadskas & Kaklauskas, 1994

COPRAS

COmplex PRoportional ASsessment

Evaluates benefit and cost criteria separately, then rewards high benefits and low costs proportionally.

How it works

1. Sum-normalize the weighted matrix so each criterion column sums to 1.
2. Sum each alternative's benefit-criteria values into S⁺ and cost-criteria values into S⁻.
3. Combine into relative significance Q S⁺ plus a term that grows as S⁻ shrinks.
4. Report the utility degree N = Q / Q_max × 100%, so the best alternative reads 100%.

Use it when

• Your criteria split naturally into benefits and costs.
• Stakeholders like a percentage-of-best reading ("option B is at 87% of the best").

Watch out for

• Sum normalization makes results sensitive to outliers and to the set of alternatives.

Parameters

No extra parameters.

Cite the method

Zavadskas, E. K., Kaklauskas, A., & Sarka, V. (1994). The new method of multicriteria complex proportional assessment of projects. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 1(3), 131-139.

@article{zavadskas1994copras,
  author  = {Zavadskas, Edmundas Kazimieras and Kaklauskas, Arturas and Sarka, Vaidotas},
  title   = {The new method of multicriteria complex proportional assessment of projects},
  journal = {Technological and Economic Development of Economy},
  volume  = {1},
  number  = {3},
  pages   = {131139},
  year    = {1994}
}