Ahmad Sarfaraz

Evaluating ERP implementation choices on the basis of customisation using fuzzy AHP

An enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is a software solution that puts together a package that allows information flow through various levels and departments of an organisation. Manufacturing enterprises have understood the importance of information systems within their organisations and have begun using them extensively. To achieve the right fit of the ERP system to the business organisation, customisation may be needed. However, customisation is seen as an issue in the application of an ERP. There are many attributes that can be considered for the selection of an ERP system. In this paper, we have applied fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) to a framework to evaluate an ERP for implementation purposes. The framework provides different methods for customisation of ERP. With the use of FAHP, obtained results provide a better match in terms of understanding the problem and giving options that are a closer fit to the requirements rather than providing the ‘correct’ decision to be taken. This paper is aimed at helping managers to understand and select among the various customisation options available. The application of FAHP to the framework is demonstrated with opinions gathered from managers in various companies. These opinions are translated into numerical values and are compared to the problem as a whole.

Manufacturing Complexity Analysis with Fuzzy AHP

Budgeting, resource allocation, and planning in manufacturing systems are important issues that can be managed by complexity measures. Manufacturing processes have several primary areas of complexity that may not be measured precisely due to uncertain situations. Therefore, this study reports a Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) model for evaluating the process complexity that takes into account uncertain situations and manufacturing process technology. The model can rank manufacturing processes based on their relative complexities. An illustrative example for several processes is demonstrated to present the application of the model.

A conceptual design selection model considering conflict resolution

Complexity of selecting a design at the conceptual design (CD) stage in the product development can be increased by imprecise and uncertain product requirements. For many companies, mitigating the decision complexity at the CD stage can result in succeeding in the competitive market. Therefore, having a robust decision-making tool embedded with conflict resolution to valuing potential new product investments to justify their development strategy becomes important. However, limitations, such as uncertainty and inability to provide the information on the compatibility between design concepts, remain as challenges for the concept selection method. Therefore, this study reports a multi-layer graph model that not only resolves the conflict of experts’ opinion but also aggregates the layers corresponding to decision criteria into a single graph. This graph is used to evaluate the CD alternatives to find the best alternative. An illustrative example is demonstrated to present the application of the model.

Dynamic MLD analysis with flow graphs

Master Logic Diagram (MLD) depicts the interrelationships among the independent functions and dependent support functions. Using MLD, the manner in which all functions, sub-functions interact to achieve the overall system objective can be investigated. This paper reports a probabilistic model to analyze an MLD by translating the interrelationships to a graph model. The proposed model uses the flow-graph concept and Moment Generating Function (MGF) to analyze the dependency matrix representing the MLD with embedded self-healing function/sub-functions. The functions/sub-functions are featured by failure detection and recovery mechanisms. The newly developed model provides the probability of the system failure, and system mean and standard deviation time to failure in the MLD. An illustrative example is demonstrated to present the application of the model.

Integration of AHP-QFD for selecting facility location

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe and implements an analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-QFD model for selecting the best location from an organization point of view which picks the site with the best opportunity requirements. Integration of AHP-QFD process gives us a new approach to assist organizations through observing various factors and selecting the best location among different alternatives. This approach uses AHP method to match the preferences required by decision makers and these preferences are applied to the characteristics of QFD. The model fundamental requirement are perfect potential locales and the areas are contrasted and both quantitative and qualitative elements to permit directors to join managerial experience and judgment in the answer process. The AHP-QFD model is also applied on a case study to illustrate the solution process. Design/methodology/approach – The integration of AHP and QFD is used to analyze available options and select the best alternative. This can be do...

A view of development in management for increasing profitability in the corporate landscape

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the need for a statistical approach in the development of personnel aspiring for a technical manager/technical team leader position in order to increase corporate profitability. It outlines the details of management training for managerial positions by chronicling the research of thirty academic studies in management strategy as well as real world experiences, which provides a statistical viewpoint for the development of a technical manager/technical team leader as a significant contributor to profitability within the corporate landscape. Design/methodology/approach – This study begins by validating the strategic management model (Process 1), which states that managerial influences in the organization are important to consider and greatly affect the profitability of a corporation. Statistical methodologies are introduced as tools for the analysis in the development of the technical management/technical team leader position. Using interval-based analytical ...

An Integrated Approach for Supplier Selection

Purchasing decisions are no longer made based on best price but companies are increasingly considering both tangible and intangible benefits that suppliers bring to the long term growth of the company. This paper addresses the multi-objective criteria pertaining to supplier selection process by a combination of Quality Function Deployment (QFD), Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Preemptive Goal Programming (PGP) techniques. QFD facilitates in blending the requirement for suppliers and supplier evaluating criteria. AHP then helps in systematically prioritizing the relative importance of the requirements enumerated as part of the QFD. Finally, PGP aids in the formulation to maximize the value proposition and to minimize the cost involved by exploiting volume discounts.

i-DEMATEL method for integrated manufacturing technology selection

Purpose – Computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) refers the manufacturing concept based on the use of computers to control and exchange information for the entire production process. As a result, manufacturing can be faster and less error-prone. However, managing and implementing technologies in the CIM environment are challenging processes for managements and manufacturing organizations. These processes become complex and tedious when one is dealing with many decision parameters. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This study reports an Interval Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (i-DEMATEL) method for evaluating and selecting the CIM technologies that takes into account management objectives. This method can relieve the limitation of the relationship matrix about the assumption of the symmetrical relationship. As a result, it can solve complicated relationship structure problems. Findings – Based on a survey on the current technologies in manufacturing ins...

Using fuzzy AHP for warranty management improvement

Nowadays, in warranty management, the problem of decision making where the operator will obtain the spare part for the warranty assistance with minimal effects on the assembly line becomes a challenge. Based on the decision criteria (extra stock, terms, reliability, cost, and amount) and available alternatives (warehouse, cannibalisation, and purchasing), we will take into consideration the most final score of alternatives with respect to the criteria that must be taken into account. Using Delphi method, this study employs a fuzzy AHP decision making approach to solve the problem. A case study is presented to demonstrate the application of the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (fuzzy AHP) approach.

Analysis of Risk and Reliability in Project Delivery Methods

Risk and reliability are two main factors that must be studied in order to measure the successful rate of a project. As a result, innovative project delivery methods have been proposed to mitigate the risk and improve reliability of a project. The intent of this study is to compare the use of the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) and fuzzy AHP for decisions surrounding the early stages of construction projects based on risk and reliability measures. Financial risk is especially high during the early design stages of a project due to the unknown obstacles that will follow. The case study uses the selection of a project delivery method as an example, and provides a sample project to highlight the project-specific variability of the multi-criteria decision analysis.