ASTM E1765-16

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Designation: E1765 − 11 E1765 − 16
Standard Practice for
Applying Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to
Multiattribute Decision Analysis of Investments Related to
Buildings and Building SystemsProjects, Products, and
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Processes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1765; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is one of a set of multi-attribute decision analysis (MADA)
methods that considers nonmonetary attributes (qualitative and quantitative) in addition to common
economic evaluation measures (such as life-cycle costing or net benefits) when evaluating project
alternatives. Building-relatedproject, product, and process alternatives. Investment decisions depend
in part on how competing options perform with respect to nonmonetary attributes. This practice
complements existing ASTM standards on building economics by incorporating the existing
economic/monetary measures of worth described in those standards into a more comprehensive
standard method of evaluation that includes nonmonetary (quantitative and nonquantitative) benefits
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and costs. The AHP is the MADA method described in this practice. It has three significant strengths:
an efficient attribute weighting process of pairwise comparisons; hierarchical descriptions of
attributes, which keep the number of pairwise comparisons manageable; and available software to
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facilitate its use.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice presents a procedure for calculating and interpreting AHP scores of a project’sproject’s/product’s/process’ total
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overall desirability when making building-related capital investment decisions. Projects include design, construction, operation,
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and disposal of commercial and residential buildings and other engineered structures. Products include materials, components,
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systems, and equipment. Processes include procurement, materials management, work flow, fabrication and assembly, quality
control, and services.
1.2 In addition to monetary benefits and costs, the procedure allows for the consideration of characteristics or attributes which
decision makers regard as important, but which are not readily expressed in monetary terms. Examples of such attributes that
pertain to the selection of a building alternative (and its surroundings)among project/product/process alternatives are: a
construction projects’s building alternatives whose nonmonetary attributes are location/accessibility, site security, maintainability,
quality of the sound and visual environment, and image to the public and occupants. occupants; building products based on their
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This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.81 on Building
Economics.
Current edition approved March 1, 2011March 1, 2016. Published April 2011March 2016. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 20072011 as
ε1
E1765 – 07E1765 – 11. . DOI: 10.1520/E1765-11.10.1520/E1765-16.
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For an extensive overview of MADA methods and a detailed treatment of how to apply two MADA methods (one of which is AHP) to building-related decisions, see
Norris, G A., and Marshall, H.E., Multiattribute Decision Analysis: Recommended Method for Evaluating Buildings and Building Systems, National Institute of Standards
and Technology, 1995.
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This practice presents a stand-alone procedure for performing an AHP analysis. In addition, an ASTM software product for performing AHP analyses has been developed
to support and facilitate use of this practice. Software to Support ASTM E1765: Standard Practice for Applying Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to Multiattribute Decision
Analysis of Investments Related to Buildings and Building Systems, MNL 29, ASTM, 1998.
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Projects also include analytical studies that identify alternative means for achieving organizational objectives as well as research and development activities that support
the deployment of new products and processes.
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Typical construction-related products for each product type are: (1) materials—concrete; (2) components—structural steel members; (3) systems—heating, ventilating,
and air-conditioning system; and (4) equipment—heat pump.
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