3.6.2. Technology Assessment Questionnaire

The technology assessment questionnaire design builds upon the one used in the first workshop by considering the lessons learned in Reference [12]. The same diagram for the input of fuzzy estimates is used. Since the experts are asked to evaluate pairwise comparisons, the positive values of the qualitative x-axis express the superiority of one technological option over another and the negative—its inferiority. The fuzzy evaluations are then placed by the DMs according to their perception.

The feedback after the first workshop included the abundance of labels and text around the diagram as well as the tiresome and confusing switching between evaluations of the same comparisons but regarding different criteria [12]. For this purpose, the labeling has been simplified and a single answer page included diagrams for the same option comparisons according to all available criteria. This allows an easier visual perception of multiple questions simultaneously and a strict division of the page into two vertical halves, each corresponding to a technological option, while the diagrams (or the "rows" of the page) are assigned to the criteria.

In order to further increase simplicity, the terms "superiority" (expressed with positive values) and "inferiority" (expressed with negative values) of one option over another have been omitted. Instead, the positive side of the x-axis was denoted to be in favor of option A and the negative—in favor of option B.

Furthermore, the first workshop required the participants to enter evaluations for reciprocal comparisons as well (e.g., separate questions "compare technology A referred to technology B" and "compare technology B referred to technology A" ) in order to encourage the DMs to correct their answers [12]. This was regarded by the participants as a rather useless and time-consuming feature, leading to its removal in the current questionnaire. The new version requires an input on the comparisons of each option pair only once.
