Solving a Multi-Criteria Decision Problem of Process Technology Selection

Partha S. Ghose is a post-graduate engineer with more than 38 years of experience in heavy manufacturing industries in core sectors such as steel, non-ferrous metallurgy, power and infrastructure in the areas of large, integrated projects and operations, managing the functions from the field through leadership positions.

  Business Intelligence   Decision Making   Manufacturing   Strategy   Work Breakdown Structures (WBS)   Knowledge Shelf  

Abstract
Selection of the correct process technology for a manufacturing industry, with several complex variables that decide the success of the business, is of vital importance for an enterprise. Feasibilities are normally calculated by certain standard key metrics, while many key considerations that are subjective are not amalgamated into the decision algorithm, which may eventually lead to incorrigible negative business results. This article endeavors to deal with such a problem of technology selection for a steel-making facility by using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP).

Introduction
Whether it is Alcan, Alcoa, Aluminum Pechiney, or Worsley technology in case of Alumina or Blast furnace, COREX, Finex technologies for iron-making—or Siemens, Babcock, Alstom, or Combustion Engineering Technology for Thermal Power Plant—it has always been a challenge for project and process managers to select the correct process technology, which will form the basis of project scope and eventually lead to project success by satisfying the strategic intent of the endeavor.

These are only small examples of major technology variants from the domains of Metallurgy and Power out of various industry sectors, each of which may have many such technology choices. Organizations adopt various methodologies to identify the right technology to meet their strategic goal by satisfying the…

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