Weighted scoring analysis (Nutzwertanalyse)

In short: The weighted scoring analysis (Nutzwertanalyse) rates alternatives against several weighted criteria and delivers a total score per alternative. It helps compare properties that cannot be measured in money.

In more detail: You define criteria (for example price, performance, support), weight them (sum 100 %), award points per alternative (for example 1 to 5) and multiply points by weighting. The sum is the utility value. The alternative with the highest value wins.

In Depth

Example: Two laptops. Price (40 %), performance (35 %), battery (25 %).

• Device A: price 5, performance 3, battery 4 → 0.4·5 + 0.35·3 + 0.25·4 = 2.0 + 1.05 + 1.0 = 4.05
• Device B: price 3, performance 5, battery 3 → 1.2 + 1.75 + 0.75 = 3.70

Device A wins.

• Knock-out criteria: must-have requirements that exclude an alternative immediately.
• Weakness: Weighting and points are subjective. Justify and agree in the team.
• Sensitivity: Check whether a small change of weights flips the result.
• In the exam: Set up the table cleanly, calculate, justify the result.

See also: Payback calculation and TCO, Make-or-buy decision