Strengths and Weaknesses
A major strength of goal programming is its simplicity and ease of use. This accounts for the large number of goal programming applications in many and diverse fields. Linear Goal programmes can be solved using linear programming software as either a single linear programme, or in the case of the lexicographic variant, a series of connected linear programmes.
Goal programming can hence handle relatively large numbers of variables, constraints and objectives. A debated weakness is the ability of goal programming to produce solutions that are not Pareto efficient. This violates a fundamental concept of decision theory, that is no rational decision maker will knowingly choose a solution that is not Pareto efficient. However, techniques are available to detect when this occurs and project the solution onto the Pareto efficient solution in an appropriate manner.
The setting of appropriate weights in the goal programming model is another area that has caused debate, with some authors suggesting the use of the Analytic Hierarchy Process or interactive methods for this purpose.
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