Selecting the Best Students Using the Simple Additive Weighting Method Decision Support System

Abstract

Selecting the best student is one form of appreciation implemented by An-Nawa Islamic Boarding School in Serang Regency to encourage students' motivation, achievement, and discipline. The current selection process is conducted manually, which may lead to subjectivity and inconsistencies in decision-making. This study aims to design and implement a Decision Support System (DSS) using the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) method to assist in determining the best student objectively, transparently, and systematically. The research employed a quantitative approach using five evaluation criteria: moral character, participation in learning activities, academic performance, attendance, and responsibility. The data consisted of 30 students evaluated based on these criteria. The SAW method was applied through the stages of decision matrix construction, normalization, weighting, and preference value calculation to generate a ranking of alternatives. The results indicate that the SAW method can provide an objective and effective selection process. Alternative A28 (Mashadi) achieved the highest preference value of 1.00 and ranked first, followed by A6 (Retno Safitri) with a score of 0.97 and A19 (Hoirun Saban) with a score of 0.91. The implemented system assists school administrators in accelerating the selection process, reducing assessment subjectivity, and producing more accurate and accountable decisions. Therefore, the SAW method is proven to be effective for application in a decision support system for selecting the best student.