Ranking method · Opricovic, 1998

VIKOR

VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (multi-criteria compromise ranking)

Finds the compromise solution: high overall utility without any unacceptable weakness.

How it works

1. Normalize each value against the best and worst observed per criterion.
2. Compute S (weighted total regret group utility) and R (the single worst weighted regret).
3. Blend them into Q = v·S̃ + (1−v)·R̃, where v sets the balance between consensus and worst-case caution.
4. Rank by ascending Q and test two acceptance conditions: acceptable advantage (C1) and acceptable stability (C2).
5. If a condition fails, VIKOR proposes a compromise set of alternatives instead of a single winner.

Use it when

• Criteria conflict and you want a defensible compromise, not just the highest average.
• An alternative that is terrible on even one criterion should be penalized.
• You want the method itself to tell you when the top result is not clearly ahead.

Watch out for

• The ranking depends on the strategy weight v (0.5 is customary).
• A compromise set of several alternatives can be the honest answer do not force a single winner.

Parameters

v ∈ [0, 1] the weight of group utility versus individual regret (default 0.5).

Cite the method

Opricovic, S., & Tzeng, G.-H. (2004). Compromise solution by MCDM methods: A comparative analysis of VIKOR and TOPSIS. European Journal of Operational Research, 156(2), 445-455.

@article{opricovic2004compromise,
  author  = {Opricovic, Serafim and Tzeng, Gwo-Hshiung},
  title   = {Compromise solution by {MCDM} methods: A comparative analysis of {VIKOR} and {TOPSIS}},
  journal = {European Journal of Operational Research},
  volume  = {156},
  number  = {2},
  pages   = {445455},
  year    = {2004},
  doi     = {10.1016/S0377-2217(03)00020-1}
}