Creative Decisions Foundation Events
Competition Format
This competition is for teams of 2 or 3 students. If you did not sign up as a team member, you can still register, and we will help you join a team by the competition day. The competition lasts 3 days, from March 22 to March 24. You do not need any prior knowledge of the AHP/ANP methods.
Setup Day
The setup day will be scheduled before the Hackathon begins. The teams can focus on getting their development environments ready, installing python, required python libraries, and ensuring that their coding environments are configured properly.
First Day
In the morning of the first day, you will receive intensive training in AHP and ANP methods, while the afternoon will be split between hands-on practice with the decision-making software tools to be used the next day. Also on the first day, you will get to know the representative(s) of the business partner company. The company representative(s) will introduce the aims and strategic objectives of the company and describe some of the issues they are facing or faced in the past. The teams will then begin discussing the decision problems of the company and deciding on the approach they will take. Completing the first and second day’s training will lead to a University of Pittsburgh Decision Making for Leaders certification.
Second Day
On the second day of the competition, the teams will have training in the morning, and then they will assembly and work on structuring their ideas. They will define the decision-making problem they will solve, describe the framework, identify the decision factors, and model the problem using the appropriate decision-making methods and software tools. In the afternoon, the teams will focus on finalizing their case and setting up their presentation for the next day.
Third Day
On the third day, all teams will participate in a preliminary round, where they will present their case analysis and recommendations. Teams will be allotted 15 minutes to present. Following each presentation, the judges will conduct a question and answer (Q&A) session for a maximum of 10 minutes. Once the Q&A has concluded, the judges may offer some feedback.
After all the preliminary round presentations, the top 3 to 5 finalist teams will compete in the final round later that afternoon. Like the first round, teams will present strictly within the 15-minute timeline and be provided a 10-minute Q&A with the judges. The final presentations are open to public viewing; non-finalist teams are invited to watch the final round of the competition. There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winning teams that will be recognized at an award ceremony.
Pitt Hackathon 2024 Organizers
The Creative Decisions Foundation (CDF) was established in 1996 by Thomas L. Saaty, creator of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) theory of decision making, and his wife Rozann Whitaker Saaty. CDF's mission is to promote rational decision making using the Analytic Process based methods.
The Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh stands as a beacon of excellence in business education. Since its establishment in 1960, Katz has consistently shaped visionary leaders and innovators. With a commitment to cutting-edge research and a dynamic learning environment, Katz Business School empowers students to excel in the ever-evolving world of business. Renowned faculty, a focus on innovation, and a global perspective make Katz Business School a hub for aspiring business leaders ready to make a significant impact.
Pitt Hackathon 2024 Business Partner
DLC consistently ranks among the most reliable utilities in the state and part of that reliability is our commitment to upgrading our infrastructure. That includes nearly $2 billion in transmission and distribution infrastructure investments between 2023 - 2027. DLC's employees are dedicated to ensuring equal access to safe, resilient, reliable and affordable energy while also enabling our region’s clean energy future.