Multiobjective credibilistic model for COTS products selection of modular software systems under uncertainty

In this paper, we present a multiobjective credibilistic model for commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products selection in a modular software system under a fuzzy environment. To treat imprecise parameters, we use a credibility-based approach that combines the expected value and chance-constrained programming techniques. The model simultaneously minimizes the total cost, size, and execution time of the modular software system subject to many realistic constraints including system reliability, delivery time, and compatibility issues among the available COTS products. We use a two-phase interactive approach as the solution methodology. An empirical study is included to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed model and the solution approach in real-world applications of COTS selection. Further, a thorough performance analysis and comparison is done to claim the superiority of the proposed methodology over the existing fuzzy programming approaches used for COTS products selection problem.