Preferences based decision-making model (PDM) for faculty course assignment problem

A preferences based decision-making approach (PDM) to the faculty-course assignment problem that is believed to offer advantages over previous mathematical scheduling methods is presented. The PDM approach is solved using decision-making technique called analytic hierarchy process (AHP). AHP is a theory of measurement based on informed judgements and when measurements are known, the AHP gives them back exactly as they are in relative form. A variety of criteria such as faculty preferences over the subject, student preferences and administrative preferences of the faculty over a particular subject, faculty-research work load, and faculty-teaching are considered in developing the model.