Spare parts criticality evaluation using hybrid multiple criteria decision making technique

Criticality evaluation of spare parts is very important for controlling the spare parts inventory. The service levels that are specified consequent to the criticality evaluation serve as one of the inputs enabling smooth operation of production facilities. Systematic criticality evaluation of spare parts is the key to effective control of spare parts inventory systems. In order to deal with this problem, the criticality of the spare parts (SPs) must be confirmed. There are many factors to be considered as a part of the criticality of spare parts for maintenance activities. Consequently, evaluation procedures involve several objectives and it is often necessary to compromise among possibly conflicting tangible and intangible factors. For these reasons, MCDM has been found to be a useful approach to solve this kind of problem. In the present work, a three phase hybrid model is developed for the evaluation of criticality of the spare parts. The first stage involves identifying the criteria. The second stage is to prioritise the different criteria using fuzzy ANP, and then finally ranking of spare parts using fuzzy TOPSIS.