How the alignment score works.

Why MCDA?

Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis is used when decisions involve multiple values that cannot be reduced to one simple measure. In this project, the criteria are Calgary’s 7 sustainability domains. The user’s ranking decides how important each domain is in the final comparison.

Weighted Sum Model

We use a transparent weighted sum approach: each reviewed vote is scored against the user’s domain priorities, then combined into an alignment percentage. The method is intentionally simple so it can be inspected, challenged, and improved.

Score confidence tiers

Not all scores carry equal confidence. The number of reviewed matched votes determines the tier:

• Verified Score — 15 or more reviewed votes matched. The sample is large enough to support a public ranking with reasonable confidence.
• Preliminary Score — 5 to 14 reviewed votes matched. A score is shown but marked as early-stage. The direction may shift as more votes are reviewed. Preliminary scores are ranked separately from Verified scores.
• Insufficient Data — fewer than 5 reviewed votes matched. No score is generated. The councillor appears on the page but is not ranked.

Vote receipts are available for all councillors regardless of tier. Scores automatically promote to a higher tier as more votes are reviewed and added to the dataset.

What this does not claim

This tool does not determine who is the best councillor, who is most ethical, or who is most sustainable. It does not use campaign promises, speeches, or party-style labels. It compares reviewed public voting records against the values a user chooses.