A FUZZY-QFD APPROACH TO CRITICAL CHAIN METHOD

Abstract

This paper develops a new approach to the project scheduling based on Critical Chain Method, fuzzy logic and Quality Function Deployment (QFD). An important aim of the study is to develop a prioritization method for activities, within the Critical Chain context, in order to take into consideration project costs, project makespan, compliance with the customer requirements and the possibility to correct the plan. Using fuzzy-QFD techniques a fuzzy priority index (FPI) is defined in order to schedule the activities, while the project buffer is determined by computation of trapezoidal fuzzy activity duration. A comparison between the performance obtained for a project using classic QFD method and results obtained using the new FPI method showed that the proposed method allowed the project manager to eliminate, or at least contain the problems stemming from the subjective and ambiguous nature of information about duration of activities or risks related to the project