A novel grey target decision-making model based on cobweb area and its application for choosing the software development pattern

Abstract

A grey target decision-making model is an effective method used to look for a relatively optimal decision-making scheme. In this method, whether a scheme is good or bad is determined through comparing the square sums of the differences between the evaluated indices and the optimal indices. However, such “power operation” probably results in amplification or reduction of some extreme index values in decision-making results. In this paper, an improved method based on cobweb area is proposed. Here an index is represented by a line drawn from the bull’s-eye, with equal angles between adjacent lines. Then data points are determined on the lines so that the length of a line segment represents the size of the index value. Each point is then connected in order, and a cobweb-like geometrical figure is obtained. With the proposed figure, each scheme could be evaluated by finding the area of its corresponding cobweb. The proposed model was applied for choosing the preferred software development mode of Chana Group’s Office Automation system, and the new model’sperformance was then compared with that of the traditional grey target decision-making model. The comparison shows the new model is more outstanding than a traditional grey target model.