網路分析程序法是一個應用在考量多準則衡量之決策理論，其可將獨立判斷或實際量度值正規化為相對形式值下，以獲得絕對數字之相對優先性程度，進而提供決策者在做決策時簡單易懂之量化指標。評判這些關係的相互影響主要依據各項元素的成對比較，而這些都是建立在控制準則的基礎之上。網路分析程序法綜合元素的群集間相依及回饋關係，並透過比較權重優先性矩陣所組成之超級矩陣，進而得出結果。先前所發展出來的階層分析程序法，其假設較高層級與較低層級間的元素或群集皆為相互獨立。然網路分析程序法對內部相依關係納入權重計算，其在大部分現實情況的決策上運用價值較高。網路分析程序法的應用範圍可應用在權重排序、替代產品及計劃評估、策略決策預測以及風險評估等。

The Analytic Network Process (ANP) is a multi-criteria theory of measurement used to derive relative priority scales of absolute numbers from individual judgments. These judgments represent the relative influence, of one of two elements over the other in a pair-wise comparison process on a third element in the system, with respect to an underlying control criterion. Through its supermatrix, whose entries are themselves matrices of column priorities, the ANP synthesizes the outcome of dependence and feedback within and between clusters of elements. The ANP is an essential tool for articulating our understanding of a decision problem. One had to overcome the limitation of linear hierarchic structures and their mathematical consequences. The ANP methodology has also been applied in areas including priority ranking, substitution production, project selection, optimal scheduling, product planning, performance evaluation, strategic decision forecasts, and risk evaluation.