Multi-criteria decision making in workforce choice using AHP, WSM and WPM

TLDR

The study applies Multi‑Criteria Decision Making methods to assess and select the most competent operators in the apparel industry. Using Analytic Hierarchy Process, Weighted Sum Model, and Weighted Product Model, workers are evaluated on Quality Index, Activity, and Attendance Rate for each operation. All three methods produce identical operator rankings, enabling objective classification that supports line‑balancing optimization.

Abstract

This paper focuses on the implementation of Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods to evaluate the workforce competence in apparel industry. In this study, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), the Weighted Sum Model (WSM) and the Weighted Product Model (WPM) are suggested to solve workforce selection problem. The use of these methods is expected to help choose the best operator among several alternatives. Based on three criteria, each worker is evaluated in each executed operation. The criteria are a Quality Index 'QI', an Activity 'A' and an Attendance Rate 'AR'. Thanks to the MCDM methods, scores allowing an objective classification of operators are obtained. Experimental results on AHP, WSM and WPM methods show the same decisions with the same workers' classification from the best to the worst alternative. The resulting database contributes to the line balancing optimization by choosing for each operation, and as far as possible, the most competent operator.