A fuzzy multi-criteria decision approach for software development strategy selection

Abstract

This study proposes a methodology to improve the quality of decision-making in the software development project under uncertain conditions. To deal with the uncertainty and vagueness from subjective perception and experience of humans in the decision process, a methodology based on the extent fuzzy analytic hierarchy process modeling to assess the adequate economic (tangible) and quality (intangible) balance is applied. Two key factors of economic and quality are evaluated separately by fuzzy approaches and both factors' estimates are combined to obtain the preference degree associated with each software development project strategy alternative for selecting the most appropriate one. Using the proposed approach, the ambiguities involved in the assessment data can be effectively represented and processed to assure a more convincing and effective decision-making. Finally, a real case-study is given to demonstrate the potential of the methodology.

Keywords:

• Fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making
• fuzzy analytic hierarchy process
• software cash flows
• software quality

Notes

Gülçin Büyüközkan, after completing her undergraduate studies in Industrial Engineering at Istanbul Technical University obtained her M.Sc. degree in Industrial Engineering from ENSGI/INPG in France (1996) and also from Bosphorus University in Turkey (1997). In November 1999, she completed her Ph.D. studies in Industrial Engineering in INPG, France, and since then has worked as an Assistant Professor in the Industrial Engineering Department at Galatasaray University, Turkey. Her post-doctoral studies mainly focused on effective decision-making for organizational performance improvement and their industrial applications. Miss Büyüközkan has published several international conference and journal papers.

Cengiz Kahraman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering, Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Turkey. He received his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Industrial Engineering from ITU. He is currently the Assistant Head of the Department and his research areas include engineering economics, statistics, quality control and the applications of fuzzy sets theory on these areas. He has published several international conference papers, journal papers, and book chapters.

Da Ruan (BS, Applied Mathematics, Fudan University, Shanghai, 1983; Ph.D., Mathematics Gent University, Belgium, 1990) is senior researcher with the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCKCEN) working in the areas of applied computational intelligence for uncertainty analysis, information/sensor fusion, decision support systems, robotics, nuclear power plants and safety-related engineering fields.