Which tool is used to compare decision options against predefined criteria?

• A. A device for making trade-offs between conflicting goals or preferences by evaluating decision options against criteria.
• B. The causes and consequences of a disruptive event.
• C. The range of options available to a decision maker, including the probability of each option and possible outcomes.
• D. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

Answer: (A)

This item tests using a decision comparison tool that evaluates decision options against predefined criteria to reveal trade-offs. Such a tool—often a decision matrix or a form of multi-criteria decision analysis—starts by listing the criteria that matter (for example, cost, risk, feasibility, impact) and then scores each option against those criteria. We can also assign weights to reflect how important each criterion is. By combining the scores (often as a weighted total), you get a clear, quantitative basis to compare options and see which one best satisfies the predefined priorities. The described concept matches this approach: a device for making trade-offs between conflicting goals or preferences by evaluating decision options against criteria.

The other ideas describe different things. The second choice focuses on causes and consequences of a disruptive event, which is about understanding impact rather than comparing options. The third choice describes the set of possible options and their probabilities and outcomes, which is about the decision space itself, not about evaluating options against criteria. The fourth choice, SWOT, is a strategic diagnostic tool that looks at strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats rather than performing a criteria-based trade-off analysis.