Simple Group Choice: A minimal-information multi-criteria group decision aiding approach

In many real group decision-making problems, decisions must be made with limited data and busy Decision Makers (DMs). In such settings, asking for detailed scores or trade-off weights can be unrealistic and can obscure, rather than clarify, how a recommendation emerges. We propose Simple Group Choice (SGC), a deliberately lightweight approach to multi-criteria group choice that relies only on two sets of binary questions. SGC then aggregates by simple counting: wins on a criterion are weighted by how many people consider that criterion key and are summed across the group. The result is a transparent support score for each alternative and a top choice set, accompanied by compact diagnostics that help interpret and screen. Because incomplete answers are common, we extend SGC to uncertainty by treating missing entries as unknown binary bits and examining all feasible completions. This yields clear, robust recommendations without introducing parametric assumptions. A didactic urban-logistics study illustrates the approach under complete information and under uncertainty. Overall, SGC offers a practical, explainable, and low-burden tool for contexts like shortlisting in early-phase group decisions, and a natural front end to more detailed analyses when needed.