Extended use of the cards procedure as a simple elicitation technique for MAVT. Application to public procurement in Switzerland

The cards procedure was designed in the early 90 as a simple way to elicit weights for multiple criteria decision analysis outranking methods. It is based on the elicitation of the difference of importance between successive pairs of criteria. We propose to extend its use in two directions:
• Use within MAVT, with specific requirements to remain meaningful.
• Use for the evaluation of the alternatives on a specific type of criterion.This procedure does not necessarily satisfy all theoretical constraints, but it improves the existing practice of lay persons, as exemplified with the case of public procurement in Switzerland.