Development of Decision Support Model for Selecting a Maintenance Plan Using a Fuzzy MCDM Approach: A Theoretical Framework

Abstract

In complex decision making, using multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) methodologies is the most scientific way to ensure an informed and justified decision between several alternatives. MCDMs have been used in different ways and with several applications that proved their efficiency in achieving this goal. In this research, the advantages and disadvantages of the different MCDM methodologies are studied, along with the different techniques implemented to increase their accuracy and precision. The main aim of the study is to develop a hybrid MCDM process that combines the strengths of several MCDM methods and apply it to choose the best fit maintenance policy/strategy for industrial application. Moreover, fuzzy linguistic terms are utilized in all of the used MCDM techniques in order to eliminate the uncertainty and ambiguity of the results. Through an extensive literature review performed on studies that have used MCDM methods in a hybrid context and using fuzzy linguistic terms, a model is developed to use fuzzy DEMATEL-AHP-TOPSIS hybrid technique. The model with its application is the first of its kind, which combines the strengths of fuzzy DEMATEL in establishing interrelationships between several criteria, as well as performing a pairwise comparison between the criteria for prioritization using the fuzzy AHP method. Thereafter, the alternatives are compared using fuzzy TOPSIS method by establishing negative and positive solutions and calculating the relative closeness for each of the alternatives. Furthermore, six main criteria, twenty criteria, and five alternatives are selected from the literature for the model application.

What are the key determinants of maintenance performance?

“…Reviewing the previous research, (e.g. Abdulgader et al, 2018), shows the use of the fuzzy hybrid MCDM method to select a maintenance program. Hemmati et al (2018) presented a fuzzy analytical network process model to select the best repair and maintenance policy.…”

“…Also, the ANP-IFT hybrid model has the ability to deal with similar types of similar situations with uncertainty in MCDM problems. Abdulgader et al (2018) developed a decision support model using a fuzzy MCDM method to select a maintenance program. The research model is designed to include three methods of FAHP, FDEMATEL and FTOPSIS, in a complete decision model.…”

A risk evaluation framework for the best maintenance strategy: The case of a marine salt manufacture firm

“…Borjalilu and Ghambar [10] applied the FAHP to select the optimal maintenance strategy with relation to a set of five possibilities in order to improve production on a manufacturing unit. Abdulgader et al [1] combined three fuzzy MCDM methods to establish the best maintenance strategy for industrial application. They used the fuzzy DEcision MAking Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) to identify interrelationship among criteria, the FAHP to calculate the vector of criteria weights, and the FTOPSIS to achieve a final ranking of alternatives.…”

An Integrated Fuzzy Best-Worst-TOPSIS Method for Evaluation of Hotel Website and Digital Solutions Provider Firms

“…To describe the vagueness and ambiguity existent in the decision-making process, its fuzzy extension, F-TOPSIS was developed and implemented in various MCDM problems. Some of these applications are supplier selection in a watch company [11], air carrier evaluation [12], IT personnel selection [13], leaching method selection in hydrometallurgical processes [14], sustainability policy scenario evaluation for the development of electrical vehicles [15], maintenance strategy selection of a cement company [16], green supplier selection [17], evaluation of maintenance strategies for an "off-grid PV-powered street lightening system" [18], and evaluation of energy alternative forms [19].…”