Interactive multiobjective programing in water resources: A case study

Multiple‐objective problems are ubiquitous in human affairs and are commonly attacked in a subjective way. Semops, a sequential multiobjective problem solving technique, allows the decision maker to trade off one objective versus another in an interactive manner. Semops cyclically uses a surrogate objective function based on goals and the decision maker's aspirations about achieving these goals. The algorithm, applied to a synthetic case study of regional water quality management, demonstrates that (1) a complex situation can be handled, (2) the individuality of the decision maker's preference structure is preserved, (3) the feasible alternatives do not need to be specified a priori, (4) the concept of a satisfactory solution rather than an optimum solution is more realistic in situations involving conflicting goals.