The simplest quickest decision exercise is the direct intuitive method. Deciders may simply assign percentage points between 0 and 100 to each option (or objective) to represent its relative priority or weighting. Variations on this intuitive method are used is such management methods as management of objectives, outranking, social judgement theory, cost benefit analysis. Delphi, Kepner-Tregoe, Coverdale, nominal group method, and decision analysis. Magnitude estimation systematises the direct intuitive methods. Deciders choose one option as the common benchmark. This option is the same for everyone, has slightly below average priority relative to other options and is allocated an arbitrary value of 35 priority units. Each decider compares all the options in turn with the benchmark option. He/she assligns priority units to them, all things considered given the benchmark is 35 units.
You take the objectives you produced, and apply them to your options. Each decider goes through each objective in turn saying how well the options could achieve it. The Priorities now program then produces the option priorities for each objective in turn, and for the objectives taken together as a group. Thus, each family member is prompted to rate the countries on weather, low cost, social life and excitement.
In real life, decision-making is sometimes approached more analytically - with some discussion of the pros and cons of each option. In other words, several objectives may be considered - what leads to a "Where shall we go on holiday?" overall. You bring these objectives into the decision: it works virtually the same way as for options. For the holiday plan, such objectives might be weather, low cost, social life and excitement. The influence of these factors on the final decision will vary, as each manager will have different views about the relative importance of each objective. You rate the objectives in much the same way as you rate the options. Priorities Now produces a weighting in percentage terms for each objectives.