Fuzzy multi-objective project management decisions using two-phase fuzzy goal programming approach

Abstract

In practical project management (PM) decision problems, environmental coefficients and related parameters are frequently fuzzy in nature, and a decision maker (DM) must simultaneously consider various conflicting objectives in a framework of imprecise aspiration levels. This work focuses on developing a two-phase fuzzy mathematical programming (TPFGP) approach for solving the multi-objective PM decision problems in a fuzzy environment. The original fuzzy multi-objective programming model designed here attempts to simultaneously minimize total project costs, total completion time and total crashing costs with reference to direct costs, indirect costs, contractual penalty costs, duration of activities and the constraint of available budget. An industrial case is used to demonstrate the feasibility of applying the proposed approach to real-world PM decisions. Consequently, the proposed approach yields an efficient solution and overall degree of decision maker (DM) satisfaction with the determined goal values. Several significant management implications relating to the practical application of the proposed approach are also presented. Overall, the main contribution of this work lies in presenting a two-phase fuzzy programming methodology for solving real-world PM decision problems with multiple objectives.