Introduction to multicriteria decision aid methods. Classical approach of decision problems, i.e. optimisation of a single economic function, shows some weaknesses which multicriteria methods seem to palliate. The objective of this item is then to show to non-initiated readers the interest of these methods and to introduce the methodological foundations of them. The diversity of these methods lies in the way to synthesize information being kept in each criterion. A classification according to

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... ree major approaches is suggested (complete, partial and local aggregations). For each approach, theoretical bases are detailed and concrete cases of application are quoted. The conclusion emphasizes potentialities of multicriteria methods and the precautions that have to be taken when they are used.