Schedule and cost overrun analysis for R&D projects using ANP and system dynamics

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (9) ◽  
pp. 1551-1567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Kumar ◽  
J.J. Thakkar
Keyword(s):  
System Dynamics ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Analytic Network Process ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Cost Overrun ◽  
Individual Factor ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Network Process

Purpose Schedule and cost overrun analysis for a typical research & development (R&D) project is necessary to identify and mitigate the non-feasible alternatives at the design stage. Typically, this should include an analysis of technological and economic factors of R&D project. This paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach This research proposes an integrated analytic network process (ANP) and reusable system dynamics (SD) model for a quick and strategically consistent decision making. The technological and economic factors of R&D project were first identified and compiled through a systematic literature review. An ANP model was first developed for calculating Risk Priority Index (RPI) for set of technological and economic factors. The computed RPI are considered as an input to SD models. Two SD models (technological and economic) are developed to undertake a detailed investigation on effect of individual factor on schedule and cost overrun. The approach is exemplified for a case of government R&D project in India. Findings ANP identifies “Testing & qualification facility” and “Raw material availability” as the highest RPI factors. A detailed sensitivity analysis of SD models suggests that technological factors such as “Design Changes,” “Hidden Activities,” and “Lack of Expertise” and economic factors such as “Project delays,” “Unexpected incidents” and “Conflicts” have the highest influence on schedule and cost overrun. Practical implications The outcomes of this research can help managers to estimate the severity of various technological and economic factors on cost and schedule overrun and develop an adequate risk mitigation contingency plan. Originality/value In case of R&D projects where systems are being developed for the first time, changes are inevitable, and hence schedule and cost management plays a very important role in its success. This paper proposes an integrated reusable approach of ANP and SD for analyzing the influence of technological and economic factors on schedule and cost overrun of R&D project.

Prioritizing technical requirements in QFD by integrating grey relational analysis method and analytic network process approach

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuanmin Mi ◽  
Weiguo Xia
Keyword(s):  
Grey Relational Analysis ◽  
Quality Function Deployment ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Analytic Network Process ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Relational Analysis ◽  
Technical Requirements ◽  
Network Process ◽  
Grey Relational

Purpose – No matter in product design stage or product quality improvement stage, the product technical requirements (PTRs) impacting on product performance are mainly identified and improved to optimize customer needs (CNs) as greatly as possible. The purpose of this paper is to use a new approach to accurately and properly prioritize PTRs in Quality Function Deployment (QFD). Design/methodology/approach – Considering the relationship between CNs and PTRs in QFD hard to quantitatively measure and lack of adequate information, the grey relational analysis (GRA) is applied. Besides, owing to the inherent inner dependencies of CNs as well as QFD, the analytic network process (ANP) which is an effective tool to take into account the inner dependencies with network is utilized. Finally, an integrated framework based on GRA method and ANP approach is proposed to determine the importance degrees of PTRs in designing a product. Findings – The calculation results of the application show that the proposed framework by integrating GRA and ANP is able to determine the importance degrees of PTRs in design a product well. Practical implications – In the application part the authors can see the proposed framework can be applied to PVC window systems. Owing to that traditional QFD method has been widely used in many fields such as manufacturing industry and service industry, actually the proposed framework has great potential application in the real word. Originality/value – This paper succeeds in proposing a new framework by integrating GRA and ANP to determine the importance degrees of PTRs in QFD.

Modeling brand resonance score (BRS) – an application in financial services

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ande Raja Ambedkar ◽  
Punniyamoorthy Murugesan ◽  
N. Thamaraiselvan
Keyword(s):  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Analytic Network Process ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Service Firms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fund Managers ◽  
Network Process ◽  
Brand Resonance

Purpose The experts in industry and academicians value brand resonance is the prerequisite factor in the firms of financial services. In this regard, the purpose of this paper is to model the brand resonance score (BRS) for modified customer-based brand equity (CBBE) model in mutual fund financial services using structural equation modeling (SEM) and analytic network process (ANP). Design/methodology/approach Criteria and sub-criteria relative weights are calculated from the SEM and sub-sub-criteria relative weights are measured through pair-wise comparison matrix for BRS modeling using ANP approach. Findings The brand resonance using ANP has been quantified, and BRSs of each brand through brand judgments and brand feelings criteria are calculated using two renowned Indian mutual fund services brands State Bank of India and Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. Research limitations/implications Interdependency between sub-criteria are not explored. This research study is specific to Indian bank mutual fund services context. Practical implications Research findings provide useful guidelines for fund managers/analysts of mutual fund service firms to improve the brand resonance to investors. Originality/value The paper explained modeling BRS using ANP technique which helps organizations quantify the brand resonance effectively.

Understanding and managing the threat of disruptive events to the critical national infrastructure

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Thurlby ◽  
Kim Warren
Keyword(s):  
System Dynamics ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Specific Situation ◽  
Investment Planning ◽  
Major Step ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
National Infrastructure

Purpose – This paper aims to describe a high-level model portraying the relationships between operational, investment, commercial and regulatory pressures, and reports the early findings from testing alternative strategies, both over the long- and short-term. Concern about the vulnerability of utility networks (electricity, gas and water) and other infrastructures, including transport and telecommunications, to environmental, terrorist and other threats has increased in recent years. This has been motivated both by a perceived increase in such threats and by recognition that the commercial pressures and regulation of companies operating these infrastructures could unintentionally have increased that risk. Powerful simulation tools already help utility operators develop asset investment polices to improve both the performance and resilience of their networks, while others have helped increase their capability to respond efficiently when disruptive events occur. However, these tools need to be further developed to increase understanding of how the interdependencies between operational, investment, commercial and regulatory pressures influence and eventually define the strategic policies available to these organisations and what the long-run consequences will be for the resilience of these systems and hence for service continuity. Design/methodology/approach – Use of system dynamics methods and tools to develop a new approach to strategy and policy development for risk management for organisations operating the critical national infrastructure. Findings – System dynamics is a valid approach to address the problem of understanding risk and developing risk mitigation and management strategies for organisations operating the critical national infrastructure. To develop policies that will effectively manage and mitigate risk in the critical national infrastructure, it is essential to identify and model the interactions and interdependencies between the organisational, investment, commercial and regulatory factors. Research limitations/implications – The research has developed a proof-of-concept model and set of simulation tools which produce good results using test data from one type of organisation operating in the critical national infrastructure. The model has not been tested using data from other types of organisations. Similarly, the software written in the model has not been tested in operational conditions and further testing will be required. Practical implications – The model at the moment can only be applied to single organisation. The interactions between organisations are not in scope. Originality/value – Although some work in the field using simulation tools and methods has been done in the USA, the use of system dynamics and its application to the specific situation on the UK and Europe is new. The model uses earlier work which applied system dynamics to the subject of asset investment planning, but is a major step forward from this work. Risk and resilience is one of the major challenges facing operators of the critical national structure. This work will be of potential value to all these organisations.

An analytic network process model for hospital facilities management performance evaluation

Facilities ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph H.K. Lai ◽  
Huiying (Cynthia) Hou ◽  
David J. Edwards ◽  
P.L. Yuen
Keyword(s):  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Evaluation Model ◽  
Analytic Network Process ◽  
Facilities Management ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Network Process

Purpose This study aims to establish a rigorous model that can pragmatically evaluate the facilities management (FM) performance of hospitals. Design/methodology/approach Among the applicable performance indicators that were identified from extant literature, a focus group study shortlisted ten key performance indicators (KPIs) in four categories (safety, physical, financial and environmental) and verified their practicality. Using the analytic network process (ANP) method to process the focus group’s responses yielded importance weightings for the KPIs and developed the intended evaluation model. This model was then validated by a case study. Findings From the empirical data collected, two types of FM performance data and two scenarios of KPI scores were identified. To process these data and scores, a robust calculation method was devised and then proved useful in obtaining an overall score for holistic hospital FM performance. The case study confirmed the appropriateness and validity of the model developed. Research limitations/implications Through illustrating how the ANP method could be applied to develop an FM performance evaluation model, the study contributes knowledge to the multi-criteria decision-making domain. Despite the geographical limitation of the model established (i.e. centered around a group of hospitals investigated in Hong Kong), the study can serve as a reference for developing performance evaluation models for other buildings or infrastructures globally. Practical implications The model constitutes a practical tool for evaluating the FM performance of hospitals. Using this model on a regular basis will enable performance benchmarking and hence, continuous improvement of FM services. Originality/value The ANP model established is the first of its kind tailored for evaluation of hospital FM performance.

Prioritizing the vaccine supply chain issues of developing countries using an integrated ISM-fuzzy ANP framework

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dheeraj Chandra ◽  
Dinesh Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Analytic Network Process ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Interpretive Structural Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
Network Process ◽  
Key Issues

Purpose Delivering vaccines to the children who need them requires a supply chain that is efficient and effective. In most of the developing countries, however, the unknown and unresolved supply chain issues are causing inefficiencies in distributing vaccines. There is, therefore, a great need in such countries to recognize the issues that cause delays in vaccine delivery. With this purpose, the present study aims to identify and analyze the key issues in the supply chain of basic vaccines required to immunize children in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach Based on a field survey of three states of India, in-depth review of relevant literature and experts’ opinions, 25 key issues were recognized as factors of the vaccine supply chain (VSC) and categorized into five main domains. Using integrated interpretive structural modeling and fuzzy analytic network process approaches, the issues have been prioritized to determine their relative importance in the VSC. In addition, a sensitivity analysis has been performed to investigate the priority stability of the issues. Findings The results of the analysis show that among the five domains of VSC issues, the economic domain with a weight of 0.4262 is the most important domain, followed by the management (0.2672), operational (0.2222), environmental (0.0532) and social (0.0312). Research limitations/implications This study focuses on the prioritization of VSC issues; therefore, the results of the present study can provide direction to the decision-makers of immunization programs of developing countries in driving their efforts and resources on eliminating the most important obstacles to design successful vaccination programs. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, this paper is first to provide a direction to the decision-makers in identifying and managing important issues through the use of an analytical approach.

Employing fuzzy ANP for ranking the personality of international brands in the sports shoe industry

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javad Khazaei Pool ◽  
S. Mohammad Arabzad ◽  
Sobhan Asian ◽  
Milad Fahimi ◽  
Reza Verij Kazemi
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Analytic Network Process ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Shoe Industry ◽  
Sport Shoe ◽  
Network Process ◽  
Quantitative Basis

Purpose This paper aims to provide a quantitative basis to analytically determine the ranking of the brand personality of Adidas, Asics, Nike, Puma and Saucony brands among Iranian customers via a conventional multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method. Design/methodology/approach Data for determining the importance of evaluation criteria and ranking of brands are gathered by means of distributing questionnaires among a group of Iranian customers of sport shoes, as well as some industrial experts. The fuzzy analytic network process (FANP) was used to rank the brands with regard to dependencies between criteria and alternatives. Findings The results indicate that FANP is a capable method which provides invaluable insights for strategic marketing decisions in the sport product industry. Results show Adidas has the best performance in the sports shoe market compared to the other four brands. In this study, it was found that expertise sophistication was the most important criterion among Aaker’s five main criteria. Originality/value The value of this paper is applying FANP decision-making method for ranking sport shoe brands. This method has not been commonly used in the area of marketing, hence it is added to the pool of techniques used in ranking brands. In addition, evaluation and ranking of brands can be very useful for both academic research and practice. Researchers can benchmark the competences of each brand through evaluating them, and industrialists can extract the competitive advantages of the selected brands.

The distribution strategy selection for an e-tailer using a hybrid DANP VIKOR MCDM model

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 395-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohit Titiyal ◽  
Sujoy Bhattacharya ◽  
Jitesh J. Thakkar
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Analytic Network Process ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Strategy Selection ◽  
Vikor Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Distribution Strategy ◽  
Network Process ◽  
Decision Making Framework ◽  
External Characteristics

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to apply a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework to evaluate distribution strategies for an e-tailer. An application of MCDM method, the hybrid DANP–VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) model, is used for e-tailers’ distribution strategy evaluation. The choice of distribution strategies under various dimensions is evaluated. Design/methodology/approach The authors used a hybrid MCDM model to solve the decision-making framework, which combines Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), DEMATEL-based analytic network process and VIKOR method. Data were collected from the experts (e-tail manager, logistics manager, operations manager and distribution center (DC) manager) using two questionnaires, first for the influential relationship among the criteria and dimensions and second for a performance rating of each alternative (distribution strategies) against each criterion. Findings DANP with VIKOR method prioritizes the distribution strategies in the following order: DC shipment, drop shipment, click and collect, store shipment and click and reserve. Performance gap was calculated based on the VIKOR method to provide distribution strategies to an e-tailer under different situations. The authors infer that in developing country, product characteristics and transportation have a major influence on deciding the distribution strategy. Practical implications Decision-making framework will provide e-tail mangers a knowledge-based understanding to select the distribution strategy under the different situations related to the performance, product, e-tailer and external characteristics for smooth order fulfillment process. The insights developed by this research provide a framework for rational decision making in distribution strategy selection in e-business. Originality/value This is the first kind of a study which offers a decision framework for e-tail managers on how to choose distribution strategies under different situations which are related to the performance, product, e-tailer and external characteristics.

scholarly journals A Markovian-QFD approach in addressing the changing priorities of the customer needs

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 1062-1075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehdi Rajabi Asadabadi
Keyword(s):  
Markov Chain ◽  
Markov Chains ◽  
Quality Function Deployment ◽  
Analytic Network Process ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Customer Needs ◽  
Customer Preferences ◽  
Network Process ◽  
Qfd Method

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce a solution to the problem of changing priorities of customer needs (CNs) in quality function deployment (QFD). Customer preferences and priorities are not very stable and they may change before products are ready for the market. Therefore, finding CNs accurately is a key to reach a higher level of customer satisfaction through improving products. Design/methodology/approachIn the proposed model, a Markov chain is employed to model the changing priorities of CNs. The Markov chain finds a pattern of future CNs, the main inputs of QFD. The QFD method is applied to translate CNs into product requirements (PRs). The analytic network process (ANP) is attached to QFD to ensure that all the relations among the elements, inner and outer, are taken into consideration during the translation process. Thus, CNs are received and adjusted by a Markov chain. FindingsThe application of Markov chains for an ANP-QFD model develops an adequate method of finding a pattern of changing priorities of CNs. This pattern enables the ANP-QFD method to work independent of the initial CNs, and originates a Markovain ANP-QFD. Originality/valueThis study originates a stochastic ANP-QFD model. There have been several papers employing various tools and techniques such as the ANP or analytic hierarchy process for QFD to find accurate relations between PRs and CNs. While there are a few papers applying Markov chains to predict the future of the relations of QFD, there is no study which traces the changes in priorities of the CNs during the improvement process. This is addressed by applying a Markovian ANP-QFD. The model is validated through a case study.

An analytic network process (ANP) model to examine LEED-certified buildings’ operational performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 366-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gulbin Ozcan Deniz
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Analytic Network Process ◽  
Economic Life ◽  
The Body ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Network Process

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to create and present a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design New Construction (LEED NC) building performance assessment model that will identify and prioritize external parameters affecting a LEED-certified building’s operational performance. Design/methodology/approach The uncertainty associated with external parameters affecting a LEED-certified building’s operational performance is examined through the use of analytic network process (ANP). An ANP model is created based on the extensive literature research and experiences of professionals in the green building industry. Eight case studies are analyzed, and data collected through interviews with experts are utilized in prioritizing external parameters affecting buildings’ operational performance. Findings The findings show that the most important external parameters affecting a LEED-certified building’s operational performance are lack of enhanced commissioning, lack of life cycle assessment/life cycle costing analysis, lack of energy modeling, and lack of knowledge in green technology. The results demonstrate that both asset value and profit, as well as the economic life of the facility, are mostly affected by the energy efficiency of the building, and consequently LEED NC energy and atmosphere category. Originality/value This research contributes to the body of knowledge on green architecture by defining and prioritizing external parameters and their relationships to operational building performance in LEED NC projects. The proposed model can be used by construction managers and facility managers to operate LEED-certified buildings better and reduce environmental impacts throughout the functional life cycle of the building.

Proposing a hybrid method based on DEA and ANP for ranking organizational units and prioritizing human capital management drivers

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mehdi Tavakoli ◽  
Hadi Shirouyehzad ◽  
Reza Dabestani
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Hybrid Method ◽  
Analytic Network Process ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Human Capital Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dea Model ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Network Process ◽  
Dea Efficiency

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to present a hybrid analytic network process (ANP) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) method for ranking organizational units as well as prioritizing organization’s human capital management criteria. Design/methodology/approach – In the proposed DEA model, human capital management criteria are considered as the inputs and organizational commitment considered as the output of DEA model. Afterward, the organizational unit’s efficiency and the weight of human capital management criteria are evaluated through DEA and the data are considered as the basis of ANP model. Findings – The results of prioritizing the drivers of human capital management were showed that leadership practices, human capital management and learning capacity are the most important ones. Also, the findings proved that the proposed integrated DEA/ANP can be helpful in managerial issues. Research limitations/implications – Filling the super-matrix and designing the questionnaire of ANP have always been the challenge of scholars because of the large number of data it requires. One of the main advantages of the proposed hybrid method in this research is that it resolves the above-mentioned problem of ANP. Practical implications – The results of the proposed method may provide managers this opportunity to better analyze the condition of organizational units from human capital management perspective and focus on the most important activities in this context. Moreover, the proposed hybrid method can help scholars to better use both DEA and ANP techniques and obtain more reliable findings. Originality/value – In this study, DEA efficiency measures of units, and the weights of inputs and outputs of DEA model are used to fill the super-matrix of ANP. In addition to having a logical approach, this method provides more reliable results and enjoys the advantages of both ANP and DEA techniques.

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