Theory and Methodology Fuzzy multicriteria models for quality function deployment

An integrated formulation and solution approach to Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is presented. Various models are developed by de®ning the major model components (namely, system parameters, objectives, and constraints) in a crisp or fuzzy way using multiattribute value theory combined with fuzzy regression and fuzzy optimization theory. The proposed approach would allow a design team to reconcile tradeo€s among the various performance characteristics representing customer satisfaction as well as the inherent fuzziness in the system. In addition, the modeling approach presented makes it possible to assess separately the e€ects of possibility and ̄exibility inherent or permitted in the design process on the overall design. Knowledge of the impact of the possibility and ̄exibility on customer satisfaction can also serve as a guideline for acquiring additional information to reduce fuzziness in the system parameters as well as determine how much ̄exibility is warranted or possible to improve a design. The proposed modeling approach would be applicable to a wide spectrum of design problems where multiple design criteria and functional design relationships are interacting and/or con ̄icting in an uncertain, qualitative, and fuzzy way. Ó 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.