Development and testing of the method and algorithm for forming coalitions of experts in the study of the functioning of communication networks

The issues related to the use of expert assessment methods in order to increase the optimality and objectivity of developed management decisions are considered. The expediency of involving experts is formulated when a collegial management decision is necessary. The basic stages of the research related to the application of the expert assessment method are given. The relevance of the chosen topic is justified by the need to develop effective methods and algorithms aimed at automating the processes of analysis and processing of data obtained during the expert survey, as well as summarizing its results. The aim of the study is to develop and test an algorithm for finding coordinated groups (coalitions) of experts, as well as a method that makes it necessary to work out the final decision on the results of the expert survey. The proposed algorithm for finding coalitions is based on the application of the mathematical apparatus of the theory of sets and algebra of relations; it uses a strict criterion in their formation and replenishment of coalitions, but does not exclude the belonging of experts to several coalitions, which provides a high informative value of the results of expert assessment. The method includes the calculation of weighting coefficients assigned to the formed coalitions taking into account the degrees of experts' membership in them. The resulting decision is formed on the basis of the data obtained by the coalition, which has the maximum dimensionality and the required degree of consistency. The developed method and algorithm were tested on the results of an expert survey for determining the degrees of significance of the processes implemented in communication networks. As a result, coalitions of experts who agreed with each other were formed, as well as the experts, whose opinions are more deviated from the rest, were identified. The coherence of the coalitions is evaluated using the concordance coefficient, and the final decision is formed on the basis of the method of average arithmetic ranks assigned to the studied processes of functioning of communication networks by the experts belonging to the largest coalition.