Failure modes and effects analysis based on neutrosophic analytic hierarchy process: method and application

Abstract

Failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) is a commonly used method in risk evaluation. In this paper, a novel FMEA model based on neutrosophic analytic hierarchy process (NAHP) is proposed to overcome shortcomings of the risk prioritization of classical FMEA. Neutrosophic sets approach real-world decision-making problems from a three-aspect structure (i.e., truthiness, indeterminacy and falsity). Therefore, initially, AHP is merged with neutrosophic sets to assign importance weights to risk parameters in FMEA. The encountered failure modes are then prioritized with respect to the previously weighted risk parameters. Each element in AHP comparison matrices is considered as triangular neutrosophic numbers, and score functions are used to transform NAHP elements to deterministic values. The flexibility of determining the weight to each parameter of FMEA (severity, occurrence and detection) and evaluation of each failure mode against these parameters are more well-suited to the real decision-making condition. Finally, a case study in the textile industry is provided to show the applicability of the novel model. Sensitivity and comparative analysis are also performed to validate the results.