Fuzzy multi attribute assessment model for software outsourcing partnership formation

Building on the preceding studies, this paper aims to extend the latest capability maturity model integration (CMMI)-based organization assessment model to the fuzzy environment. Our approach has overcome the limitations of the preceding CMMI-based models. Our proposed model is based on the multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) approach incorporating the capability of group decision making. The rating of qualitative factors based on crisp values may be insufficient to model the real-world MADM industrial problem. For controlling human subjective vagueness, linguistic variables are translated using the triangular fuzzy number. The proposed model is generalized in order to be easy to adopt by other organizational assessment practitioner and researcher. Other researcher and practitioner can adopt the proposed model procedure and methodology in order to develop their own organizational assessment, capability improvement, and decision-making framework for companies, enterprises, or organization. The proposed model has two working parts. The ranking part of the framework model can be used for ranking the importance of influential factors, while the assessment part of the model can be used as an assessment tool in the SDO organization. Collectively, it might be utilized as a decision support system. A running numerical example of software outsourcing partnership (SOP) formation is presented to validate the proposed model. The ranking part is demonstrated with the help of empirical survey conducted with 35 experts, while the assessment part is demonstrated by conducting two case studies in SDO organization. SDO vendor organization can benefit from the model to gauge their capability toward SOP formation.