Decision Science

We make countless decisions every day, from the mundane to the monumental. Yet, our judgment is often swayed by hidden flaws: bias and noise. Both bias and noise can influence how we see the facts or data that are significant to make decision.

Imagine you’re trying to measure your weight. It is important step to gauge your health and decide your diet. Bias is like stepping on a scale that consistently adds 2 kg to your actual weight. Every time you weigh yourself, it’s wrong in the same direction.

Ever found yourself juggling too many factors while making a decision? That’s where Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) comes in. MCDA is a systematic approach that involves evaluating multiple criteria or factors simultaneously to make informed decisions. It’s a fancy term, but the idea is simple: break down complex decisions into smaller parts and weigh each part based on what matters most to you.

Think of it like choosing a laptop. You might want a sleek design, long battery life, and a good price, but how do you balance these competing desires? MCDA helps you assign weights to each factor (design, battery, price) and score different laptops against those factors. This way, you can see which laptop comes out on top based on your priorities.

The 8th INAHEA Biennial Scientific Meeting, themed “Health System Transformation: Demographic Transition and Economic Challenges,” was held on October 25-27, 2023, at Universitas Indonesia, Depok. During this meeting, I had the privilege of conducting a workshop on Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), a powerful tool for navigating complex decisions in healthcare.     In the workshop, I introduced the basic principles of MCDA and its application in health settings, especially HTA. I also presented a case study on the use of MCDA for prioritizing new TB diagnostics for Indonesia.