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Simple Multi-attribute Rating Technique (SMART)

Tools & Methods

Dec 01, 2025
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The SMART method can be a useful tool for comparing different restoration strategies and selecting the one that best balances all desired outcomes

The Simple Multi-attribute Rating Technique (SMART) can be used to identify and rank attributes according to their perceived importance for prioritizing restoration areas.

Simple Multi-attribute Rating Technique (SMART)

The Simple Multi-attribute Rating Technique (SMART) is a popular and straightforward method of Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM). It was developed by Edwards in the 1970s and is essentially a simplified form of Multi-Attribute Utility Theory (MAUT).

The SMART method can be used to help decision-makers choose the best alternative from a set of options by systematically evaluating them against a defined set of criteria (or attributes).

Using SMART in Forest Restoration

Forest restoration projects are classic examples of sustainable natural resource management that inherently involve multiple, often conflicting, objectives (economic, social, and environmental). SMART is a useful tool in this domain for comparing different restoration strategies and selecting the one that best balances all desired outcomes.

A study by Cruz-Bello and Sotelo-Ruis used the SMART method to rank attributes with specialist (managers and academics) according to their relative importance for reforestation. In the study, the SMART method was combined with a geospatial decision-making tool to identify suitable areas for restoration. This combination proved to be an innovative and practical approach to systematically identify priority areas for reforestation.

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The Simple Multi-attribute Rating Technique (SMART) can be used to identify and rank attributes according to their perceived importance for prioritizing restoration areas.
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Source/Author(s)
  • Michael den Herder
Topic
  • Active Restoration
  • Economic & Financial
  • Implementation
Stakeholders
  • Landowners & Practitioners
  • Planners & Implementers
Purpose
  • Afforestation, reforestation
  • Climate change mitigation
  • Connectivity and landscape diversity
  • Show 6 more
Spatial scale
  • None/Non-relevant
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