Explore the most common questions and answers about the DEMATEL method, including its core concepts, calculation process, and real-world applications. Learn how to analyze cause–effect relationships easily using our online DEMATEL software.
Basic Concepts
What is DEMATEL?
DEMATEL (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) is a decision-making method used to analyze and visualize the cause–effect relationships among factors in complex systems.
What is the main goal of DEMATEL?
To identify which factors influence others (cause factors) and which are influenced (effect factors).
Who developed the DEMATEL method?
It was developed by the Battelle Memorial Institute in Geneva during the 1970s.
What type of problems does DEMATEL solve?
It helps solve complex decision problems where multiple criteria or factors are interrelated.
Why is DEMATEL important?
Because it reveals interdependencies and highlights the most influential factors in decision systems.
Methodology and Steps
What are the main steps in DEMATEL?
- Identify factors or criteria
- Collect expert judgments
- Build the direct relation matrix
- Normalize the matrix
- Calculate the total relation matrix
- Identify cause and effect groups
- Visualize the causal diagram
What is the direct relation matrix?
It shows the direct influence of one factor over another.
How are expert judgments collected?
Experts rate the influence of each factor on others using a predefined scale (e.g., 0–4 or 0–5).
What is the normalization step in DEMATEL?
It scales the direct relation matrix so that the maximum total influence equals 1.
What is the total relation matrix?
It includes both direct and indirect influences among all factors.
Interpretation of Results
What do D and R represent in DEMATEL?
D (Dispatching): the sum of influences a factor gives to others.
R (Receiving): the sum of influences a factor receives from others.
What is (D + R)?
It shows the overall importance or prominence of each factor.
What is (D – R)?
It indicates whether a factor is a cause (positive value) or an effect (negative value).
What is a threshold value in DEMATEL?
A cutoff value used to filter out weak relationships when creating the causal diagram.
How is the cause–effect diagram created?
By plotting (D + R) on the x-axis and (D – R) on the y-axis.
Applications
Where can DEMATEL be applied?
In fields like supply chain management, risk analysis, project evaluation, policy design, and strategic planning.
Can DEMATEL handle qualitative factors?
Yes, expert opinions can quantify qualitative factors.
Is DEMATEL suitable for complex systems?
Yes, it’s designed for systems where many factors influence each other.
Can DEMATEL be combined with other MCDM methods?
Yes, it’s often integrated with AHP, ANP, or TOPSIS for hybrid analysis.
Why use DEMATEL before other methods?
It helps identify key influencing factors that can be prioritized in subsequent analyses.
Using the Software
Can DEMATEL be performed online?
Yes, you can use the DEMATEL online software at OnlineOutput.com.
What data is needed for DEMATEL software?
A list of factors and pairwise influence ratings from experts.
What outputs does the software provide?
- Normalized and total relation matrices
- D + R and D – R values
- Cause–effect diagram
Does the software calculate matrices automatically?
Yes, it computes all matrices and visual results automatically.
Can multiple experts contribute to the same DEMATEL analysis?
Yes, the system can aggregate multiple experts’ opinions.
Advanced Topics
What scale is commonly used for expert ratings?
A 0–4 or 0–5 scale, where higher values mean stronger influence.
What is the main difference between DEMATEL and AHP?
AHP ranks alternatives based on criteria, while DEMATEL reveals interdependencies among criteria.
Can DEMATEL handle feedback relationships?
Yes, it’s designed to analyze both direct and indirect feedback among factors.
Can DEMATEL be extended with fuzzy logic?
Yes, Fuzzy DEMATEL incorporates uncertainty in expert judgments.
What is the main advantage of DEMATEL?
It provides a clear visualization of cause–effect relationships and helps decision-makers focus on the most influential factors.
Experience the Dematel online software: