Analytic　hierarchy　process　(AHP)　has　been　considerably　criticized　for　possible　rank　reversal　phenomenon　caused　by　the　addition　or　deletion　of　an　alternative.　This　paper　looks　into　the　cause　of　rank　reversal　phenomenon　and　finds　that　rank　reversal　is　caused　by　change　of　local　priorities　before　and　after　an　alternative　is　added　or　deleted.　An　approach　is　therefore　proposed　to　keep　the　local　priorities　unchanged　to　avoid　rank　reversal　phenomenon.　Two　well-known　numerical　examples　are　re-examined　using　the　proposed　approach　to　demonstrate　its　validity　and　practicability　in　rank　preservation.　(c)　2005　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.