MCDA / src /mcda_v4.py
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import pandas as pd
import numpy as np
from typing import Dict, List, Tuple
class UtilityCalculator:
"""
Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) utility calculator.
This class implements a weighted utility model for ranking alternatives across
multiple criteria. It normalizes scores to a 0-100 scale, applies user-defined
weights, and calculates final utility scores for decision making.
Core Components:
- Data Storage: Raw product scores and configuration
- Normalization: Min-max scaling with direction handling
- Utility Calculation: Weighted linear aggregation
- Caching: Performance optimization for repeated calculations
- I/O: Excel integration and results formatting
Attributes:
categories (List[str]): Names of evaluation criteria
maximize (Dict[str, bool]): Direction of optimization per category
weights (Dict[str, float]): Importance weights per category (sum=1.0)
products (Dict[str, Dict[str, float]]): Raw scores {product: {category: score}}
thresholds (Dict[str, float]): Minimum acceptable values per category
objectives (Dict[str, float]): Target/ideal values per category
use_penalties (bool): Enable/disable threshold-objective penalty system
_cache_valid (bool): Cache validity flag for performance optimization
_cached_normalized (Dict): Cached normalized scores
_cached_utilities (Dict): Cached utility calculations
"""
def __init__(self, categories: List[str], maximize: Dict[str, bool]):
"""
Initialize the MCDA calculator with evaluation criteria.
Sets up the decision framework by defining what criteria to evaluate and
their optimization direction. Initializes equal weights for all categories.
Args:
categories: List of category names (e.g., ['price', 'quality', 'speed'])
maximize: Dict indicating optimization direction per category
{category: True} for "higher is better"
{category: False} for "lower is better"
Raises:
ValueError: If categories and maximize keys don't match exactly
Example:
calc = UtilityCalculator(
categories=['price', 'quality'],
maximize={'price': False, 'quality': True}
)
"""
self.categories = categories
self.maximize = maximize
# Validate configuration consistency
if set(categories) != set(maximize.keys()):
raise ValueError("Categories and maximize keys must match exactly")
# Initialize equal weights (will sum to 1.0)
n_categories = len(self.categories)
self.weights = {cat: 1.0/n_categories for cat in self.categories}
# Initialize aggregation method
self.aggregation_method = 'weighted_sum' # Default to weighted sum
# Initialize threshold and objective values for penalty system
self.thresholds = {cat: None for cat in self.categories} # Minimum acceptable values
self.objectives = {cat: None for cat in self.categories} # Target/ideal values
self.use_penalties = False # Global penalty system toggle
# Initialize data storage
self.products = {} # {product_name: {category: raw_score}}
# Initialize cache management
self._cache_valid = False
self._cached_normalized = None # Stores normalized scores
self._cached_utilities = None # Stores final utility values
@classmethod
def from_excel(cls, file_path: str, config_sheet: str = 'Config', data_sheet: str = 'Data'):
"""
Factory method to create calculator from Excel configuration.
This method provides a convenient way to set up the calculator using
Excel files for configuration management. Expects two sheets:
- Config sheet: category definitions and optimization directions
- Data sheet: product names and their scores
Args:
file_path: Path to Excel file containing configuration and data
config_sheet: Name of sheet with category configuration (default: 'Config')
data_sheet: Name of sheet with product data (default: 'Data')
Returns:
UtilityCalculator: Configured instance with loaded data
Raises:
ValueError: If required columns are missing from either sheet
Expected Excel Format:
Config Sheet: columns ['category', 'maximize']
Data Sheet: columns ['name'] + all categories from config
Example:
calc = UtilityCalculator.from_excel('decisions.xlsx')
"""
# Load and validate configuration sheet
config_df = pd.read_excel(file_path, sheet_name=config_sheet)
required_cols = ['category', 'maximize']
if not all(col in config_df.columns for col in required_cols):
raise ValueError(f"Config sheet must have columns: {required_cols}")
# Extract configuration parameters
categories = config_df['category'].tolist()
maximize = dict(zip(config_df['category'], config_df['maximize']))
# Create calculator instance
calc = cls(categories, maximize)
# Load and validate data sheet
data_df = pd.read_excel(file_path, sheet_name=data_sheet)
required_data_cols = ['name'] + categories
missing_cols = [col for col in required_data_cols if col not in data_df.columns]
if missing_cols:
raise ValueError(f"Data sheet missing columns: {missing_cols}")
# Load products into calculator
products = data_df.to_dict('records')
calc.add_products_batch(products)
return calc
def add_products_batch(self, products_data: List[Dict]):
"""
Add multiple products to the calculator in a single operation.
This method provides efficient bulk loading of product data. Each product
dictionary should contain a 'name' key and scores for all categories.
Invalidates cache to ensure fresh calculations.
Args:
products_data: List of dictionaries, each containing:
{'name': str, category1: float, category2: float, ...}
Example:
products = [
{'name': 'Product A', 'price': 100, 'quality': 8.5},
{'name': 'Product B', 'price': 150, 'quality': 9.2}
]
calc.add_products_batch(products)
"""
for product in products_data:
# Create copy to avoid mutating input data
product_copy = product.copy()
name = product_copy.pop('name')
self.add_product(name, product_copy)
def add_product(self, name: str, scores: Dict[str, float]):
"""
Add a single product with its category scores.
This is the core method for adding product data. Validates that scores
are provided for all required categories and stores the data for analysis.
Invalidates cache to ensure calculations reflect new data.
Args:
name: Unique identifier for the product
scores: Dictionary mapping categories to numeric scores
{category: score} for all categories in self.categories
Raises:
ValueError: If scores don't include all required categories
Example:
calc.add_product('Laptop X', {'price': 999, 'performance': 85, 'battery': 8})
"""
# Validate completeness of scores
if not all(cat in scores for cat in self.categories):
raise ValueError(f"Must provide scores for: {self.categories}")
# Store product data (copy to prevent external modification)
self.products[name] = scores.copy()
# Invalidate cache since data has changed
self._cache_valid = False
def set_weights(self, weights: Dict[str, float]):
"""
Update the importance weights for categories.
Weights represent the relative importance of each category in the final
decision. They must sum to 1.0 to maintain the utility scale. Only
invalidates utility cache since normalization is weight-independent.
Args:
weights: Dictionary mapping categories to weight values
Must include all categories and sum to 1.0
Raises:
ValueError: If weights don't sum to 1.0 (within floating point tolerance)
Example:
calc.set_weights({'price': 0.4, 'quality': 0.4, 'support': 0.2})
"""
# Validate weight constraints
if not np.isclose(sum(weights.values()), 1.0):
raise ValueError("Weights must sum to 1.0")
# Update weights
self.weights.update(weights)
# Invalidate cache since weights affect utility calculations
self._cache_valid = False
def normalize_scores(self) -> Dict[str, Dict[str, float]]:
"""
Normalize all product scores to a 0-100 scale with direction handling.
This method implements normalization to make scores comparable across
different categories and scales. Routes to penalty system if enabled,
otherwise uses standard min-max normalization.
Uses caching to avoid recomputation when data hasn't changed.
Returns:
Dict[str, Dict[str, float]]: Nested dictionary structure
{product_name: {category: normalized_score}}
where normalized_score is in range [0, 100]
Raises:
ValueError: If no products have been added to analyze
"""
# Return cached results if available and valid
if self._cache_valid and self._cached_normalized:
return self._cached_normalized
# Route to penalty system if enabled
if self.use_penalties:
normalized = self.normalize_scores_with_penalties()
else:
# Use standard min-max normalization
normalized = self._standard_normalize_scores()
# Cache results and mark as valid
self._cached_normalized = normalized
self._cache_valid = True
return normalized
def _standard_normalize_scores(self) -> Dict[str, Dict[str, float]]:
"""
Standard min-max normalization without penalty system.
This is the original normalization logic extracted into a separate
method for clarity and maintainability.
Returns:
Dict[str, Dict[str, float]]: Standard normalized scores
"""
# Validate that we have data to normalize
if not self.products:
raise ValueError("No products to analyze")
normalized = {}
# Process each category independently
for category in self.categories:
# Extract all values for this category to find range
values = [self.products[p][category] for p in self.products]
min_val, max_val = min(values), max(values)
range_val = max_val - min_val
# Normalize each product's score for this category
for product in self.products:
if product not in normalized:
normalized[product] = {}
raw_score = self.products[product][category]
# Handle edge case: no variation in scores
if range_val == 0:
normalized_score = 50 # Neutral score
# Apply direction-aware normalization
elif self.maximize[category]:
# Higher raw scores get higher normalized scores
normalized_score = ((raw_score - min_val) / range_val) * 100
else:
# Lower raw scores get higher normalized scores
normalized_score = ((max_val - raw_score) / range_val) * 100
normalized[product][category] = normalized_score
return normalized
def normalize_scores_with_penalties(self) -> Dict[str, Dict[str, float]]:
"""
Normalize scores using threshold/objective penalty system.
This method implements a three-zone penalty system for each category:
1. Below threshold: Score set to 0 (elimination)
2. Threshold to objective: Linear penalty scale (graduated)
3. At/above objective: Full normalized score (no penalty)
The penalty system operates on raw scores before standard normalization,
creating a more realistic evaluation that reflects minimum requirements
and ideal targets.
Returns:
Dict[str, Dict[str, float]]: Nested dictionary structure
{product_name: {category: penalized_score}}
where penalized_score incorporates threshold/objective logic
Raises:
ValueError: If penalty system is enabled but not properly configured
Penalty Logic:
For each category:
- raw_score < threshold: penalized_score = 0
- threshold <= raw_score < objective: linear interpolation
- raw_score >= objective: standard normalization
Example:
Category: reliability (maximize=True, threshold=80, objective=95)
Raw scores: [70, 85, 98] → Penalized: [0, ~33, 100]
"""
# Validate penalty configuration
validation_errors = self.validate_penalty_configuration()
if validation_errors:
raise ValueError(f"Penalty configuration errors: {validation_errors}")
# Validate that we have data to normalize
if not self.products:
raise ValueError("No products to analyze")
penalized = {}
# Process each category independently
for category in self.categories:
threshold = self.thresholds[category]
objective = self.objectives[category]
maximize = self.maximize[category]
# Extract all values for this category
values = [self.products[p][category] for p in self.products]
# Calculate penalized scores for each product
for product in self.products:
if product not in penalized:
penalized[product] = {}
raw_score = self.products[product][category]
# Apply three-zone penalty logic
if maximize:
# For maximize categories: higher is better
if raw_score < threshold:
# Zone 1: Below threshold = elimination
penalized_score = 0.0
elif raw_score < objective:
# Zone 2: Threshold to objective = linear penalty
# Scale from 0 to some intermediate value (e.g., 50)
progress = (raw_score - threshold) / (objective - threshold)
penalized_score = progress * 50.0 # Scale to 0-50 range
else:
# Zone 3: At/above objective = standard normalization
# Find min/max among products that meet objective
qualified_values = [v for v in values if v >= objective]
if len(qualified_values) > 1:
min_qual = min(qualified_values)
max_qual = max(qualified_values)
range_qual = max_qual - min_qual
if range_qual > 0:
penalized_score = 50 + ((raw_score - min_qual) / range_qual) * 50
else:
penalized_score = 100.0 # All qualified scores are equal
else:
penalized_score = 100.0 # Only one or no qualified products
else:
# For minimize categories: lower is better
if raw_score > threshold:
# Zone 1: Above threshold = elimination
penalized_score = 0.0
elif raw_score > objective:
# Zone 2: Objective to threshold = linear penalty
progress = (threshold - raw_score) / (threshold - objective)
penalized_score = progress * 50.0
else:
# Zone 3: At/below objective = standard normalization
qualified_values = [v for v in values if v <= objective]
if len(qualified_values) > 1:
min_qual = min(qualified_values)
max_qual = max(qualified_values)
range_qual = max_qual - min_qual
if range_qual > 0:
penalized_score = 50 + ((max_qual - raw_score) / range_qual) * 50
else:
penalized_score = 100.0
else:
penalized_score = 100.0
penalized[product][category] = penalized_score
return penalized
def set_aggregation_method(self, method: str):
"""
Set the aggregation method for utility calculation.
This method allows switching between different mathematical approaches
for combining normalized scores. Affects risk tolerance and compensation
between criteria.
Args:
method: Aggregation approach to use
'weighted_sum': Linear aggregation (full compensation)
'geometric_mean': Geometric aggregation (penalizes poor performance)
'threshold_penalty': Threshold/objective penalty system
Raises:
ValueError: If method is not supported
Example:
calc.set_aggregation_method('threshold_penalty') # Enable threshold penalties
"""
valid_methods = ['weighted_sum', 'geometric_mean', 'threshold_penalty']
if method not in valid_methods:
raise ValueError(f"Method must be one of: {valid_methods}")
self.aggregation_method = method
# Enable penalty system if threshold_penalty method is selected
if method == 'threshold_penalty':
self.use_penalties = True
else:
self.use_penalties = False
# Invalidate cache since calculation method has changed
self._cache_valid = False
def set_thresholds(self, thresholds: Dict[str, float]):
"""
Set minimum acceptable threshold values for categories.
Thresholds represent the minimum acceptable raw score for each category.
Products scoring below threshold in any category will be heavily penalized
or eliminated from consideration (depending on penalty settings).
Args:
thresholds: Dictionary mapping categories to minimum threshold values
{category: threshold_value} in raw score units
Raises:
ValueError: If thresholds don't include all categories
Example:
calc.set_thresholds({'reliability': 80, 'performance': 60, 'cost': 1000})
"""
# Validate all categories are included
missing_cats = set(self.categories) - set(thresholds.keys())
if missing_cats:
raise ValueError(f"Must provide thresholds for all categories. Missing: {missing_cats}")
# Update thresholds
self.thresholds.update(thresholds)
# Invalidate cache since penalty calculations may change
self._cache_valid = False
def set_objectives(self, objectives: Dict[str, float]):
"""
Set target/ideal objective values for categories.
Objectives represent the ideal or target raw score for each category.
Products meeting or exceeding objectives receive full normalized scores.
Products between threshold and objective receive graduated penalties.
Args:
objectives: Dictionary mapping categories to target objective values
{category: objective_value} in raw score units
Raises:
ValueError: If objectives don't include all categories
Example:
calc.set_objectives({'reliability': 95, 'performance': 90, 'cost': 500})
"""
# Validate all categories are included
missing_cats = set(self.categories) - set(objectives.keys())
if missing_cats:
raise ValueError(f"Must provide objectives for all categories. Missing: {missing_cats}")
# Update objectives
self.objectives.update(objectives)
# Invalidate cache since penalty calculations may change
self._cache_valid = False
def set_penalty_system(self, enabled: bool):
"""
Enable or disable the threshold/objective penalty system.
When enabled, products are evaluated using threshold and objective values:
- Below threshold: Severe penalty or elimination
- Threshold to objective: Linear penalty scale
- At/above objective: Full reward
When disabled, uses standard min-max normalization without penalties.
Args:
enabled: True to enable penalty system, False to use standard normalization
Example:
calc.set_penalty_system(True) # Enable penalties
"""
self.use_penalties = enabled
# Invalidate cache since calculation method changes
self._cache_valid = False
def validate_penalty_configuration(self) -> List[str]:
"""
Validate the penalty system configuration and return any issues.
Checks for common configuration problems like missing values,
threshold > objective, or invalid relationships between values.
Returns:
List[str]: List of validation error messages (empty if valid)
Example:
errors = calc.validate_penalty_configuration()
if errors:
print("Configuration issues:", errors)
"""
errors = []
if self.use_penalties:
# Check for missing threshold/objective values
for cat in self.categories:
if self.thresholds[cat] is None:
errors.append(f"Missing threshold value for category: {cat}")
if self.objectives[cat] is None:
errors.append(f"Missing objective value for category: {cat}")
# Check threshold <= objective relationship
for cat in self.categories:
threshold = self.thresholds[cat]
objective = self.objectives[cat]
if threshold is not None and objective is not None:
if self.maximize[cat]:
# For maximize: threshold should be <= objective
if threshold > objective:
errors.append(f"Category '{cat}': threshold ({threshold}) should be <= objective ({objective}) for maximize categories")
else:
# For minimize: threshold should be >= objective
if threshold < objective:
errors.append(f"Category '{cat}': threshold ({threshold}) should be >= objective ({objective}) for minimize categories")
return errors
def calculate_utilities(self) -> Dict[str, float]:
"""
Calculate final weighted utility scores for all products.
This method implements the core MCDA calculation by combining normalized
scores with user-defined weights. The result is a single utility value
per product that can be used for ranking and decision making.
Uses caching to avoid recomputation. Depends on normalize_scores() for
input data, creating a calculation chain: raw → normalized → utilities.
Returns:
Dict[str, float]: Mapping of product names to utility scores
{product_name: utility_score} where utility is roughly 0-100 scale
Utility Formula:
utility = Σ(weight[category] * normalized_score[category])
for all categories
Example Output:
{'Product A': 78.5, 'Product B': 65.2, 'Product C': 82.1}
Note:
Higher utility scores indicate better overall performance considering
all criteria and their relative importance weights.
"""
# Return cached results if available and valid
if self._cache_valid and self._cached_utilities:
return self._cached_utilities
# Get normalized scores (may trigger normalization if needed)
normalized = self.normalize_scores()
utilities = {}
# Calculate utilities based on selected aggregation method
for product, scores in normalized.items():
if self.aggregation_method == 'weighted_sum':
# Linear aggregation: full compensation between criteria
utility = sum(self.weights[cat] * scores[cat] for cat in self.categories)
elif self.aggregation_method == 'threshold_penalty':
# Threshold penalty system uses weighted sum on penalized scores
utility = sum(self.weights[cat] * scores[cat] for cat in self.categories)
elif self.aggregation_method == 'geometric_mean':
# Geometric aggregation: penalizes poor performance
utility = 1.0
for cat in self.categories:
# Convert normalized score to 0-1 scale for geometric mean
# Add small epsilon to avoid zero values that would make product zero
score_01 = max(scores[cat] / 100.0, 0.001)
utility *= score_01 ** self.weights[cat]
# Convert back to 0-100 scale for consistency with weighted sum
utility *= 100.0
utilities[product] = utility
# Cache results
self._cached_utilities = utilities
return utilities
def rank_products(self) -> List[Tuple[str, float]]:
"""
Rank all products by utility score in descending order.
This method provides the primary output for decision making by ordering
products from best (highest utility) to worst (lowest utility). Uses
the calculated utilities as the ranking criterion.
Returns:
List[Tuple[str, float]]: List of (product_name, utility_score) tuples
ordered by utility score (highest first)
Example Output:
[('Product C', 82.1), ('Product A', 78.5), ('Product B', 65.2)]
Usage:
rankings = calc.rank_products()
best_product = rankings[0][0] # Name of top-ranked product
best_score = rankings[0][1] # Utility score of best product
"""
utilities = self.calculate_utilities()
return sorted(utilities.items(), key=lambda x: x[1], reverse=True)
def get_results_df(self) -> pd.DataFrame:
"""
Generate comprehensive results as a pandas DataFrame.
This method creates a detailed output table showing raw scores, normalized
scores, and final utilities for all products. Useful for detailed analysis,
reporting, and understanding how the calculations work.
Returns:
pd.DataFrame: Results table with columns:
- Product: product name
- Utility: final utility score
- {category}_raw: original score for each category
- {category}_norm: normalized score for each category
Sorted by utility score (highest first)
Returns empty DataFrame if no products have been added.
Usage:
df = calc.get_results_df()
df.to_excel('results.xlsx', index=False)
"""
# Handle empty case
if not self.products:
return pd.DataFrame()
# Get calculated values
utilities = self.calculate_utilities()
normalized = self.normalize_scores()
# Build comprehensive results
results = []
for product in self.products:
# Start with product name and utility
row = {'Product': product, 'Utility': utilities[product]}
# Add raw and normalized scores for each category
for category in self.categories:
row[f'{category}_raw'] = self.products[product][category]
row[f'{category}_norm'] = normalized[product][category]
results.append(row)
# Return as sorted DataFrame
return pd.DataFrame(results).sort_values('Utility', ascending=False)
def print_summary(self):
"""
Print a concise summary of the calculator state and results.
This method provides a quick overview for interactive use, showing
the configuration and current rankings without requiring additional
data processing or formatting.
Output includes:
- Number and names of evaluation categories
- Number of products loaded
- Current product rankings (if any products exist)
"""
print(f"\nUtility Calculator Summary")
print(f"Categories: {', '.join(self.categories)}")
print(f"Products: {len(self.products)}")
# Show rankings if we have products
if self.products:
rankings = self.rank_products()
print(f"\nRankings:")
for i, (product, utility) in enumerate(rankings, 1):
print(f" {i}. {product}: {utility:.1f}")