How to use DecisionMind Variant
One analysis from start to finish in the studio: bring the data, frame the decision, choose weights and methods, then read and export the report.
01
Open the studio
Sign in and open the studio. The left sidebar keeps your analyses grouped by date, with the Academy at its foot; every analysis starts in the message box in the middle.
No data yet? Choose “Try with sample data” to run a supplier-selection example.
02
Bring your data
Attach a CSV or Excel file: the first column names the alternatives, the first row the criteria, and every other cell holds a value of one data family, such as (l, m, u) for a triangular fuzzy number or [a, b] for an interval. The data card shows what was read, names the family and proposes each criterion's direction.
Variant works with uncertain data only; a file of plain numbers is recognised and sent to DecisionMind Crisp with a clear message.
03
Several decision makers
Attach one file per decision maker, each with the same alternatives and criteria. In the setup you choose how their matrices are combined and, if you wish, how much each person counts.
The aggregation operators offered depend on the data family. The report states the operator and the weights of the decision makers.
04
Set up the analysis
Choose what the analysis should produce (a ranking, criterion weights or an efficiency comparison), check each criterion's direction and leave out any that should not count. Under Reporting you pick the report language and whether it is academic or an executive summary.
Check each criterion's direction before you continue: a cost criterion left as “Higher is better” turns its effect on the ranking around.
05
Weights and methods
Continue with the recommendation or choose your own way. Weights can come from the data with the methods written for your data family, from numbers you type, or be equal. Then pick a ranking method of the same family; a method that needs settings shows a short form.
To see whether the method choice matters, add more ranking methods: up to 12 run side by side on the same data.
06
Run and read the result
When the run finishes, the result card shows the ranking, a plain sentence on how stable it is and the robustness checks: each alternative and each criterion is left out in turn to see whether the leader holds and whether other pairs swap places. The report then opens by itself.
These checks run by default and enter the report; you do not need to start them.
07
Edit and export the report
The report opens over the studio in an editor laid out like a Word page, with its headings on the left. Switch to Edit to change any sentence; your changes are kept with the analysis and go into every export.
The export menu offers Word, Excel, HTML and PDF.
Frequently asked questions
- Which files can I upload?
- CSV and Excel files whose cells hold values of one uncertainty family. The first column names the alternatives and the first row the criteria; one file per decision maker for a group decision.
- Are my edits to the report kept?
- Yes. Edits are saved with the analysis and applied to every export. Editing text never changes the computed numbers or tables.
- Why does a method ask for settings?
- Some methods need values only you can give, such as bounds or thresholds. The form says what each setting is for and shows the range your data has; the run starts once the required values are complete.