---
title: "Maximax criterion"
source: "https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Maximax_criterion"
wiki: "systems-analysis.info/eng"
article: "Maximax_criterion"
language: "en"
categories:
  - "Category:Decision theory"
  - "Category:Decision-making"
  - "Category:English"
  - "Category:Science"
revision_id: 244
wiki_created_at: 2026-09-06T22:19:26Z
wiki_modified_at: 2026-09-06T22:19:26Z
downloaded_at: 2026-09-07T22:22:08Z
---

# Maximax criterion

**The Maximax criterion** is a decision-making method under uncertainty, based on the principle of extreme optimism. It focuses on selecting the strategy that can yield the highest possible payoff.

## Essence of the Criterion

The criterion assumes that the decision-maker expects the most favorable outcome. For each possible strategy, its best result is identified, and the strategy with the maximum of these best outcomes is chosen.

In other words, the maximax criterion reflects a focus on achieving maximum gain without considering potential risks.

## Applying the Criterion

The application process includes the following steps:

1.  For each strategy, the highest possible outcome is determined.
2.  The best outcomes of all strategies are compared.
3.  The strategy with the highest maximum outcome is selected.

Thus, the maximax criterion encourages the pursuit of the most profitable opportunities while completely ignoring unfavorable scenarios.

## Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:

- It promotes the selection of strategies with the highest profit potential.
- It is suitable for situations where the risk of undesirable outcomes is insignificant or secondary.

Disadvantages:

- It ignores potential losses or risks.
- It can lead to overly risky decisions under conditions of high uncertainty.

## External links

- <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decision_theory" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Decision theory — Wikipedia</a>

## See also

- [Decision criteria](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Decision_criteria "Decision criteria")
- [Bayes criterion](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Bayes_criterion "Bayes criterion")
- [Bayes minimax criterion](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Bayes_minimax_criterion "Bayes minimax criterion")
- [Criterion](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Criterion "Criterion")