Application of Fuzzy VIKOR for selection of rapid prototyping technologies in an agile environment

Purpose - The purpose of this article is to report a research in which the applicability of Fuzzy VIKOR in selecting the appropriate rapid prototyping (RP) technologies in an agile environment was examined. Design/methodology/approach - Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) tool can be the best approach for selecting the RP technology because it can handle multiple criteria associated with the selection process. In the research reported in this paper, compromise-based MCDM ranking methodology, namely, Fuzzy VIKOR was used in an agile environment. The best RP technology to produce prototypes of pump impellers was found and the prototype was developed. Findings - In the case study reported in this paper, it was found that fused deposition modelling (FDM) is the best technique for manufacturing the prototypes of pump impeller. Thus, the application of Fuzzy VIKOR generated the solution, which was acceptable to the decision makers. Research limitations/implications - In certain situations, Fuzzy VIKOR methodology ends up with one or more solutions. Based on the acceptable advantage and acceptable stability conditions, the compromise solution needs to be derived. The solution derived from the study needs to be checked for practical feasibility by the decision makers. Practical implications - This case study was conducted in a pump impeller manufacturing unit. Therefore, appropriate RP technology will be selected by the organizations to produce the prototype of pump components. Thus, it implies that the results obtained from this study were validated in a manufacturing environment. Originality/value - Application of Fuzzy VIKOR for RP technology selection in the context of agile environment is the original contribution of this study.