Comparative evaluation of multicriteria methods versus the traditional approach in the prioritization of public projects in Mexico

Objective: This study aims to compare the performance of the weighted sum method without normalization (WSM) used by the Fondo de Apoyo para Proyectos Productivos (FAPPA) with other multicriteria decision-making methods (MCDM). The purpose is to identify the differences in the prioritization capacity of investment proposals among the various evaluated methods.Design/methodology/approach: A comparative study will be conducted using 100 investment proposals through a non-experimental design and a quantitative approach. The performance of the WSM used by FAPPA will be analysed in comparison with other MCDM methods, using the statistical software R.Results: The results indicate that MCDM methods reduce ties by 41%, thus improving project prioritization. However, the Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) method reduces the tie rate to 71%. The Evaluation Based on Distance from Average Solution (EDAS) and Combination Distance-Based Assessment (CODAS) showed higher consistency in results (R² = 0.9245), while the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and WSM showed greater disparity (R² = 0.2301).Limitations on study/implications: This study is limited to 100 FAPPA proposals, which may restrict the generalizability of the findings.Findings/Conclusions: It is concluded that the MCDM overcome the limitations of the model used by the FAPPA program, significantly improving the selection of investment projects funded with public resources. Although these methods reduce ties by up to 41%, challenges remain in achieving fully effective prioritization within the established criteria and weightings. This highlights the need to explore complementary approaches or adjust the evaluation process to optimize project selection and maximize the impact of allocated resources.Keywords: Multicriteria decision-making, project selection, investment prioritization.