LAYOUT DESIGN USING THE ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS

Layout design is a complex problem involving multiple, conflicting objectives as well as inputs that can be either qualitative or quantitative in nature. This paper describes and illustrates an approach to the layout design problem which considers both of these difficulties. The approach involves the use of several layout design algorithms as well as manual methods to generate candidate layouts. These candidate layouts are then used as input to Saaty's Analytic Hierarchy Process in order to allow the consideration of the problem's multiple objectives. The approach is illustrated on a problem involving the layout of a commercial printing and binding facility.