One technique for multiple attribute decision making is to develop a
weighted matrix listing the criteria used for the decision compared to the
objects being considered. We'll use three boats as an example, Boat Alpha,
Boat Bravo, and Boat Charlie.

We must first identify the criteria which are important to us. For this
example, I've chosen: Looks, Speed, Cost, and Length

First we will determine the relative value of each criterion as compared to
each other. I'll let Looks have a 1.0 value. Then I have to ask myself, is
speed more or less important than looks. Let's say speed is half again as
important as looks, then speed would get a value of 1.5. Each of the
criteria are so weighted. Cost may be twice as important as looks, so it
would get weighted with a 2.0. Length isn't as important as looks, so it
gets a 0.8

Now we have to weight each boat in terms of the criteria. We'll use a
number from 1 to 10 to weight each. Alpha is pretty ugly. Charlie is
gorgeous. Alpha is the fastest, but not quite as fast as I'd like. Charlie
is a dog. Bravo is the least costly, with Alpha not far behind. Charlie is
quite expensive. Length is easy. I want a long boat, and Bravo is the
longest. Alpha is the shortest.

Alpha Bravo Charlie
Looks 4 6 10
Speed 8 5 3
Cost 7 9 2
Length 3 8 5

Now I apply the weight of the criteria to the score of each boat, and then
get the total for each boat.

Alpha Bravo Charlie
Looks (1.0) 4 6 10
Speed(1.5) 6 7.5 4.5
Cost (2.0) 14 18 4
Length(0.8) 2.4 6.4 4.0

Totals 26.4 37.9 22.5

And the winner is Charlie!

Of course, for an actual selection many more criteria would be involved.
And, the technique can be much more specific by using pairwise comparisons
for each of the criteria. I used a simple comparison of each criterion to
speed, but it could be that comparing length to cost, length should not be
less than half as important as cost. When done with a computer program, the
results can be used to show 'consistency' (or lack thereof) in the weight
of each criteria.

This technique was used, and may still be, as a way to evaluate officers
for selection to promotion or command positions in the Army.