Title: A fuzzy ANP approach to evaluate computer simulation packages

Authors: Zeki Ayag

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering, Kadir Has University, Kadir Has Cad., 34083 Cibali, Fatih, İstanbul, Turkey

Abstract: In this study, an intelligent approach is presented to help any simulation practitioner to evaluate simulation software alternatives and determine the best satisfying one based on his/her needs. On the other hand, this evaluation process is a typical multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) problem in the presence of evaluation criteria and a set of possible alternatives, and there are many methods in the literature, which have been used to successfully carry out this difficult and time-consuming process. In this paper, one of these methods, the analytic network process (ANP) method integrated with alpha-cut fuzzy logic is used because it can accommodate the variety of interactions, dependencies and feedback between higher and lower level elements, rather than analytic hierarchy process (AHP). In addition, an alpha-cut fuzzy extension of ANP uses uncertain human preferences as input information in the decision-making process. Instead of using the classical eigenvector prioritisation method in AHP, only employed in the prioritisation stage of ANP, an alpha-cut fuzzy logic method providing more accuracy on judgements is applied. The resulting alpha-cut fuzzy ANP enhances the potential of the conventional ANP for dealing with imprecise and uncertain human comparison judgements.

Keywords: multicriteria decision making; MCDM; fuzzy logic; analytical network process; fuzzy ANP; FANP; simulation software evaluation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2016.075752

International Journal of Business and Systems Research, 2016 Vol.10 No.2/3/4, pp.332 - 345

Received: 29 Jan 2015
Accepted: 26 Oct 2015
Published online: 01 Apr 2016 *

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