Ranking of objects based on the priority indicator distribution function

Subject. Ranking of objects based on the priority indicator distribution function. Objectives. The development of a methodological ranking apparatus by creating and testing an approach based on the analysis of the distribution density function of the priority indicator of objects obtained from the results of an expert survey. Methods. The apparatus of expert assessments, probability theory and mathematical statistics is used. The method includes the collection of expert data, the calculation of probabilistic characteristics (the frequency of getting into the rank), and the analysis of the consistency of opinions. Results. A new algorithm is proposed and described, where an object is assigned a rank with the highest probability of hitting it according to the combined opinion of experts. A practical example shows that the final series obtained by the new method may differ from the result of the average method, which confirms the importance of taking into account the spread of estimates. Conclusions. The approach is an alternative tool that complements the existing methodological arsenal. Its advantage is to take into account the measure of consistency of expert opinions, which increases the validity of ranking in conditions of uncertainty. The method can be used as an independent ranking tool, or in combination with other methods (for example, with the hierarchy analysis method) to form a more balanced and reasonable final assessment. The practical feasibility of the approach is confirmed by a computational example, and its versatility allows using the methodology to rank objects in various fields of economics, management, and technical design.