Wisdom of Crowds and AHP for Rural e Governance Initiatives

A Decision Framework for Rural e-Governance Initiatives combining

The Wisdom of Crowds with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)

Navneet Bhushan

Crafitti Consulting Pvt Ltd, (www.crafitti.com)

Email: navneet.bhushan@crafitti.com,

Abstract

The multi-phased project initiated by IIPA in the direction of promoting and achieving reforms in implementation of technology for service delivery has as its core objective to evolve a citizen-centric framework for designing e-governance initiatives for Rural Development. The multiple phases of Delphi rounds involving large number of experts has yielded set of parameters to be considered in any rural e-governance initiative. These parameters have been ranked based on relative percentage of experts opting for specific parameters through designed survey instruments. We propose in this paper a methodology to rank these parameters using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in terms of relative importance through pair wise comparisons in qualitative terms. It is proposed that the relative importance of each parameter can be combined with the ratings in terms of percentage of number of respondents who said “Yes” to a parameter in the Delphi rounds, to obtain a relative score to rank order all the parameters. Further, this leads to a decision framework for ranking and selecting set of applications or initiatives that are based on chosen parameters. The combination of wisdom of crowds as reflected in multiple Delphi rounds with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is a unique methodology that not only captures the raw, intuitive and instantaneous viewpoints of large number of experts, but also gives a structured, thinking framework for decision making that has far reaching impact. The paper also describes the model implemented in MS Excel sheet which is generic enough to be utilized for multiple decision making contexts.

Wisdom of crowds and AHP for Rural eGovernance

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Four phases of ideation and wisdom of crowds

The Four Phases of Innovation

1. EXPLORATION/PROBLEM DEFINITION/SYSTEM ANALYSIS

In this phase (the initial phase) it make sense to have WISDOM of CROWD - involve as many people with as many lenses, methods, techniques as you can

2. IDEATION

Let serendipity take over - let individual mind generate ideas on their own - give them time and space to explore and generate, develop ideas

3. IDEATION and DEVELOPING IDEAS

Let select teams develop each others ideas - help them work together.

4. SELECTING and EVALUATING SOLUTIONS

Bring back the Wisdom of crowds - not the top boss - but all - every type of mind that may connect to the system, problem