A method for generating strategy maps using ANP and DEMATEL

This paper presents a method for identifying the causal relationships between strategic objectives in a strategy map of a Balanced Scorecard. The Analytic Network Process (ANP) is used to estimate the direct influence between strategic objectives and the Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) is used to obtain a matrix containing the full influences (direct and indirect) between those factors. Finally, a criterion is used to select those relationships which are important enough to be considered in the final strategy map. The literature shows some cases in which ANP and DEMATEL are combined to build a strategy map; however, they are used in a completely different way as they are utilized in the method proposed here. As an illustration, the method is applied in a manufacturing company.