Abstract
Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) is central to the ‘Best Practical Environmental Option’/Best Available Technology (BPEO/BAT) approach used to underpin UK radioactive waste management decisions and optimise remediation project portfolios. Internal and external stakeholder involvement is routine, and a consensus is necessary on many issues, including performance ratings and overall decision logic. This paper describes some of the human factors issues associated with the interactive processes typical of this type of application—particularly ‘scoring’ in workshop environments. The analysis draws on and integrates the author’s practical experience with work in three separate domains, namely: (1) decision analysis, (2) individual behavioural analysis, and (3) group processes. The conceptual framework presented addresses a number of important issues. These include the need for improved objectivity and quality of stakeholder and expert input to projects, improved management of prior assumptions and preconceptions, improved audit trails to the evidence base; a systematic approach to consensus building; and integration of MCDA into the wider project decision-making process. Insight presented by the case study will be applicable across a wide range of MCDA application.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.
Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.
Notes
Hiview is a computer program, developed first at the London School of Economics and later by Catalyze Limited, which supports MCDA.
BPEO/SEA Practitioners Workshop, Birchwood Park Conference Centre, Warrington. 12th September 2007.
The approach to task analysis set out in Kirwan and Ainsworth’s classic guide to task analysis is quite sufficient for this purpose (Kirwan and Ainsworth 1992).
References
CoWRM (2006) CoRWM MCDA decision conference 28–30 March 2006. CoRWM Document number: 1716.3
Dalkey N, Helmer O (1963) An experimental application of the Delphi method to the use of experts. In: Dalkey N, Helmer O (eds) Management Science; Apr63, vol 9, issue 3, pp 458–467
EA and SEPA (2004) Guidance for the environmental agencies’ assessment of best practicable environmental option studies at nuclear sites. Environment Agency and Scottish Environment Protection Agency, 2004. http://www.sepa.org.uk/radioactive_substances/publications/idoc.ashx?docid=2e360a4b-d0b8-4abe-9e1c-51eba529bbd0&version=-1. 26 Sept 2011
Egan et al (2003) BPEO as a guide to decision making in the authorisation of radioactive waste discharges (Egan MJ, Collier GD, Stone A, and Keep M). In: Proceedings of VALDOR 2003: values in decisions on risk. June 2003, Stockholm
Fasolo et al (2011) Behavioural issues in Portfolio decision analysis. In: Salo A, Keisler J, Morton A (eds) Portfolio decision analysis: methods for improved resource allocation. Springer, New York
French et al (2009) Decision behaviour, analysis and support, Simon French, John Maule, Nadia Papamichail. Cambridge University Press
Hora (2007) Eliciting probabilities from experts. Hora SC. In: Edwards W, Miles RF, von Winterfeldt D (eds) Advances in decision analysis. Cambridge University Press
HSE/EA/SEPA (2010) The management of higher activity radioactive waste on nuclear licensed sites. Health and Safety Executive, the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, 2010. http://www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/wastemanage.htm. 11 Oct 2011
Kirwan, Ainsworth 2992 (1992) A guide to task analysis: the task analysis working group. In: Kirwan, Ainsworth (eds) CRC Press
Lahdelma, Salminen (2001) SMAA-2: stochastic multicriteria acceptability analysis for group decision making. Risto Lahdelma and Pekka Salminen. Operations Research, vol 49, no. 3 (May—Jun., 2001), pp 444–454
MOD (2011a) Submarine dismantling project (SDP): our approach to decision making. MOD, 2011. www.MOD.uk/submarinedismantling. 23 Sept 2011
MOD (2011b) Submarine dismantling project (SDP): COEIA MCDA data report. MOD, 2011. www.MOD.uk/submarinedismantling. 23 Sept 2011
Morton A, Airoldi M, Phillips LD (2009) Nuclear risk management on stage: a decision analysis perspective on the UK’s committee on radioactive waste management. Risk Anal 29(5):764–779
NISDF (2010) Best available techniques (BAT) for the management of the generation and disposal of radioactive wastes. Nuclear Industry Safety Directors Forum, 2010. http://www.rwbestpractice.co.uk/html%5CCode%20of%20Practice%20Issue%201%20_2010%2011%2008_.pdf. 26 Sept 2011
Quintessa (2008) Treatment of plutonium contaminated material at Sellafield. Quintessa Report QRS-1372A-1, 2008. http://www.sellafieldsites.com/UserFiles/File/publications/PCM%20BPEO%20Study%20QRS-1372A-1%20Version%202_0.pdf. 10 Oct 2011
RCEP (1988) Royal commission on environmental pollution. Twelfth report. Best Practical Environmental Option. Cm 310, HMSO
UKAEA (2008) Dounreay particles management strategy—best practicable environmental option. UKAEA, 2008. http://www.dounreay.com/UserFiles/File/Particles%20consultation/Particles%20stage%204%20-BPEO-Feb-2008.pdf. 10 Oct 2011
Acknowledgments
The author acknowledges the contributions of many colleagues through their advice, contributed observations, and their own developments of good practice.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Collier, D. The human factors of project team decision-making for radioactive waste management. Cogn Tech Work 15, 47–58 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10111-012-0218-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10111-012-0218-7