There are many web-sites and dating services, which offer opportunities to find a partner.
Generally, these ask the user to fill out a questionnaire and then match the user's preferred partner from a database. These programs are able to filter out a partner from the database system by specifying conditions for criteria such as - Age, Race, Religion, Height, etc.
Some systems would even ask the user to indicate the degree of importance for each criterion. They would then conduct a simple matrix ranking. This is a very poor way of ranking.
The first problem (and the greatest weakness) with this method is the highly subjective manner in which the user decides on the criteria for their partner. Our studies have shown that the average user is confused when it comes to deciding what they really want. Most folk are incapable of hierarchically prioritizing their own needs and desires.
Try this simple example. You are looking for a partner - and after hours of soul-searching you decide that the following criteria are those that you really value (17):
Facial Appearance; Body/Shape; Height Compatibility; Weight; Age Compatibility; Physical Fitness; Maturity Level; Family Values; Temperament; Organizational Skills; Hobbies; Education; Communication; Dominant Nature; Love; Earning Potential; Financial State.
Now distribute 100 points among these Criteria (you may add or delete any criteria - if you like). Now without looking at your distribution, go back and repeat this exercise; this time assign points to each criterion (on a scale of 1-10; 1 = lowest). Add all the points, and divide each one by the total, and multiply by 100 to normalize the points. Compare the two results and you will observe two important facts.
- The two methods yield different results - which one would you pick?
- Some of the criteria turned out to be pretty insignificant, when compared to others.
We just demonstrated that most people start with the wrong assumptions. Additionally no one person can expect to meet all the criteria; what we need is a match that best represent a balance. Most database filtering techniques - ensure that prerequisites are met; but we need to go further.
The "XpertUS" decision-maker software is ideally suited for this type of operation. Our software is unique in that it is the only tool in the market that handles the intangible "feelings". Additionally it lets the user feel that he/she is in control; yet we know that he/she is too involved emotionally to make an objective decision - if there is such a thing.
XpertUS allows the user to specify all those special characteristics that he/she desires. Even after a person meets several persons - he/she can use XpertUS? to further refine his/her choice. |
