Title: Multi-criteria evaluation of design and manufacturing software packages considering the interdependencies among criteria: the analytic network process approach

Authors: Pooria Assadi, Taraneh Sowlati, Joseph C. Paradi

Addresses: Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, 2943–2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada. ' Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, 2943–2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada. ' Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, Centre for Management of Technology and Entrepreneurship, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3E5, Canada

Abstract: Evaluation and selection of software packages are among the important decisions in the manufacturing sector. Design and manufacturing software packages are integral components of manufacturing processes. Since different tangible and intangible criteria should be evaluated in the investment process, it is important to use a suitable multi-criteria decision-making method. This article presents a real case of evaluating and selecting a design and manufacturing software package considering the interdependencies among the selection criteria. The analytic network process was used for the analysis. A group decision setting was adopted and an aggregated decision was derived considering the relative influence of decision makers. The results were compared to the case where interdependencies were ignored. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the impact of changes in the influence of decision makers and in the interdependencies between criteria on the final decision outcome.

Keywords: ANP; analytical network process; group decision making; information technology investment; multiple criteria decision making; MCDM; software selection; software packages; software evaluation; manufacturing software; design software.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIDS.2009.027759

International Journal of Information and Decision Sciences, 2009 Vol.1 No.4, pp.397 - 410

Published online: 10 Aug 2009 *

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