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Research article · 2019 · Full text

International Journal of Statistics and Applied Mathematics

Intuitionistic fuzzy technique to find the critical path

M KiruthigaT Hemalatha

Volume 4(3) · Pages 39–42

Research areasMulti-Criteria Decision Making

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Abstract

Author-written

In this paper, intuitionistic fuzzy number has been applied to find the critical path for the project scheduling problems with the aid of interval valid intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IVIFN). Decision maker’s risk attitude index and decision maker’s risk index ranking value has also been utilized to find the critical path. In order to explain intuitionistic fuzzy technique to find critical path, numerical example has been illustrated in this paper.

Summary

Source-checked

Plain-language reading of the full paper, prepared with AI and checked against the text. Each point links to the authors' own words.

  1. Why it matters

    • Network diagrams are essential tools for organizing project execution and determining the time required for completion. View evidence ↗

      Why it matters

      Network diagrams are essential tools for organizing project execution and determining the time required for completion.

      In the paper's own words

      “Network diagram plays a vital role in formative project-completion time.”

      Page 1

      Found in: Introduction

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 1 ↗
    • Real-world project scheduling often involves vagueness caused by factors such as distorted due dates, unavailable capital, or weather impediments. View evidence ↗

      Why it matters

      Real-world project scheduling often involves vagueness caused by factors such as distorted due dates, unavailable capital, or weather impediments.

      In the paper's own words

      “In real life situation, vagueness may arise from a number of possible sources like: due date may be distorted, capital may unavailable, weather situation may root several impediments.”

      Page 1

      Found in: Introduction

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 1 ↗
    • Fuzzy set theory is useful for managing the ambiguity associated with the duration of activities within a project network. View evidence ↗

      Why it matters

      Fuzzy set theory is useful for managing the ambiguity associated with the duration of activities within a project network.

      In the paper's own words

      “Therefore, the fuzzy set theory can play a significant role in this kind of problems to handle the ambiguity about the time duration of deeds in a project network.”

      Page 1

      Found in: Introduction

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 1 ↗
  2. The question

    • The study aims to apply intuitionistic fuzzy numbers, specifically interval valid intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IVIFN), to identify the critical path in project scheduling problems. View evidence ↗

      The question

      The study aims to apply intuitionistic fuzzy numbers, specifically interval valid intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IVIFN), to identify the critical path in project scheduling problems.

      In the paper's own words

      “In this paper, intuitionistic fuzzy number has been applied to find the critical path for the project scheduling problems with the aid of interval valid intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IVIFN).”

      Page 1

      Found in: Introduction

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 1 ↗
  3. What they did

    • The method incorporates the decision maker's risk attitude index and risk index ranking value to determine the critical path. View evidence ↗

      What they did

      The method incorporates the decision maker's risk attitude index and risk index ranking value to determine the critical path.

      In the paper's own words

      “Decision maker’s risk attitude index and decision maker’s risk index ranking value has also been utilized to find the critical path.”

      Page 1

      Found in: Definition: Decision Maker's Risk Attitude Index

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 1 ↗
    • The approach utilizes trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy numbers, which are defined by both membership and non-membership functions. View evidence ↗

      What they did

      The approach utilizes trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy numbers, which are defined by both membership and non-membership functions.

      In the paper's own words

      “An Intuitionistic Fuzzy Number 𝐴= {< 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑>< 𝑎′, 𝑏′, 𝑐′, 𝑑′ >}is said to be a trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy number if its membership function and non-membership function are given by”

      Page 2

      Found in: Definition: Trapezoidal Intuitionistic Fuzzy Number

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 2 ↗
    • The proposed algorithm involves identifying activities, establishing precedence, estimating fuzzy activity times, calculating earliest start times (EST) and latest finish times (LFT), and determining total slack (TS) to find the critical path. View evidence ↗

      What they did

      The proposed algorithm involves identifying activities, establishing precedence, estimating fuzzy activity times, calculating earliest start times (EST) and latest finish times (LFT), and determining total slack (TS) to find the critical path.

      In the paper's own words

      “1. Identify activities in a project. 2. Establish precedence relationships of all activities. 3. Estimate the Intuitionistic fuzzy activity time with respect to each activity. 4. Construct the project network. 5. Let ESTµ1=<0,0,0,0>, ESTν1=<0,0,0,0> and ESTj j=2, 3,…..,n by using property 1. 6. Let LFTµn=ESTµn, LFTνn=ESTνn and calculate LFTj, j=n-1, n-2 ,…….2,1 by using property 2. 7. Calculate 𝑇𝑆𝜇𝑖𝑗𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑇𝑆𝜈𝑖𝑗with respect to each activity in a project network by using property 3. 8. Find all the possible paths and calculate IFCP(Pµk), IFCP(Pνk) by using proberty 4. 9. Find the intuitionistic fuzzy critical path by using definition 2.9.”

      Page 3

      Found in: Introduction

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 3 ↗
    • The technique was demonstrated using a hypothetical project network consisting of four nodes (N={1,2,3,4}) with specific fuzzy activity times. View evidence ↗

      What they did

      The technique was demonstrated using a hypothetical project network consisting of four nodes (N={1,2,3,4}) with specific fuzzy activity times.

      In the paper's own words

      “Suppose there is a project network, as Figure, with the set of node N={1,2,3,4}, the intuitionistic fuzzy activity time for each activity as shown in Table 1.”

      Page 3

      Found in: Introduction

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 3 ↗
  4. What they found

    • In the numerical example, the critical path for both the membership and non-membership functions was identified as 1 → 3 → 4. View evidence ↗

      What they found

      In the numerical example, the critical path for both the membership and non-membership functions was identified as 1 → 3 → 4.

      In the paper's own words

      “The critical path for intuitionistic fuzzy network for both membership and non-membership function are 1 →3 →4.”

      Page 4

      Found in: Introduction

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 4 ↗
    • For the critical path 1 → 3 → 4, the rank values were 0.4953 for the membership function and 0.4318 for the non-membership function. View evidence ↗

      What they found

      For the critical path 1 → 3 → 4, the rank values were 0.4953 for the membership function and 0.4318 for the non-membership function.

      In the paper's own words

      “1 →3 →4 <-30,-4,4,30> 0.4953 I <-43,-21,-14,4> 0.4318 I”

      Page 4

      Found in: Introduction

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 4 ↗
    • The path 1 → 2 → 4 had higher rank values (0.5606 for membership and 0.5827 for non-membership) compared to the critical path. View evidence ↗

      What they found

      The path 1 → 2 → 4 had higher rank values (0.5606 for membership and 0.5827 for non-membership) compared to the critical path.

      In the paper's own words

      “1 →2 →4 <-14,7,15,37> 0.5606 III <-26,-10,-6,9> 0.5827 III”

      Page 4

      Found in: Introduction

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 4 ↗
    • The path 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 resulted in rank values of 0.5360 for membership and 0.4487 for non-membership, placing it between the other two paths in rank. View evidence ↗

      What they found

      The path 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 resulted in rank values of 0.5360 for membership and 0.4487 for non-membership, placing it between the other two paths in rank.

      In the paper's own words

      “1 →2 →3 →4 <-39,-4,10,47> 0.5360 II <-45,-20,-12,11> 0.4487 II”

      Page 4

      Found in: Introduction

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 4 ↗
  5. What it means

    • The authors conclude that intuitionistic fuzzy numbers, combined with the decision maker's risk attitude and ranking values, can be effectively used to find the critical (shortest) path in project scheduling. View evidence ↗

      What it means

      The authors conclude that intuitionistic fuzzy numbers, combined with the decision maker's risk attitude and ranking values, can be effectively used to find the critical (shortest) path in project scheduling.

      In the paper's own words

      “In this paper, intuitionistic fuzzy number has been applied to find the critical path for the project scheduling problems. Decision maker’s risk attitude index and decision maker’s risk index ranking value has been applied to find the shortest path.”

      Page 4

      Found in: Introduction

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 4 ↗

Visual summary

2 visuals

Illustrations explain the paper; charts are replotted from the paper's own table values.

AI-generated illustration
AI-generated conceptual illustration (A network diagram of interconnected nodes and paths). It explains the idea and does not show study data.↗ Enlarge
Algorithm Workflow
AI-generated conceptual illustration (A network diagram of interconnected nodes and paths). It explains the idea and does not show study data.

AI-generated conceptual illustration (A network diagram of interconnected nodes and paths). It explains the idea and does not show study data.

Open full-size image ↗

Algorithm Workflow

AI-generated conceptual illustration (A network diagram of interconnected nodes and paths). It explains the idea and does not show study data.

View source evidence ↗
Replotted from source data
Replotted from Table 3 (page 4) of the original paper. Every bar is the paper's own table value.↗ Enlarge
Rank value Using equation 1 β=0.602 x1=-39,... and Rank value Using equation 1 β=0.35 x1=-45,...: 1 →2 →4 vs 1 →2 →3 →4 vs 1 →3 →4
Replotted from Table 3 (page 4) of the original paper. Every bar is the paper's own table value.

Replotted from Table 3 (page 4) of the original paper. Every bar is the paper's own table value.

Open full-size image ↗

Rank value Using equation 1 β=0.602 x1=-39... and Rank value Using equation 1 β=0.35 x1=-45...: 1 →2 →4 vs 1 →2 →3 →4 vs 1 →3 →4

Replotted from Table 3 (page 4) of the original paper. Every bar is the paper's own table value.

View source evidence ↗

Figures & tables

From the original paper
The fuzzy activity time for each activity in the project network shown as above figureTable 1Page 4Total slack intuitionistic fuzzy time for each activityTable 2Page 4Rank value of total slack intuitionistic fuzzy time of all possible pathsTable 3Page 4
FULL TEXT Original article · reflowed for reading

Introduction

A constructed network is an imperative tool in the development, and it organizes a definite project execution. Network diagram plays a vital role in formative project-completion time. In real life situation, vagueness may arise from a number of possible sources like: due date may be distorted, capital may unavailable, weather situation may root several impediments. Therefore, the fuzzy set theory can play a significant role in this kind of problems to handle the ambiguity about the time duration of deeds in a project network. Fuzzy set theory as developed by Zadeh [11] and the concept of fuzzy numbers presented by Dubois and Prade [4] are applied to present a fuzzily defined system. Chanas and Zielinski [12] proposed a method to make critical path analysis in the network with fuzzy activity times (interval activity times, fuzzy numbers of L-R type) by directly applying the extension principle [11] to the classical criticality notion treated as a function of activity duration time in the network. And two methods of calculation of the path degree of criticality are presented. Slyeptsov and Tyshchuk [13] presented an efficient method of computation of fuzzy time windows for late start and finish times of operations in the problem of fuzzy network. G. Liang and T.C. Han [6] proposed a fuzzy critical path for project networks. Elizabeth and L. Sujatha [5] discussed a critical path problem under fuzzy Environment. C.T Chen and S.F Huang [2] proposed a new model that combines fuzzy set theory with the PERT technique to determine the critical degrees of activities and paths, latest and earliest starting time and floats. S.H. Nasution [8] proposed a fuzzy critical path method by considering interactive fuzzy subtraction and by observing that only the non-negative part of the fuzzy numbers can have physical work. Basic definitions of intuitionistic fuzzy set theory have been reviewed. K.Atanassov [1] proposed a procedure to find out the intuitionistic fuzzy critical path using an illustrative example. The results are discussed. Finally, some conclusions are drawn.

Preliminaries 2.1 Definition: Fuzzy Set

Let X be the universal set A fuzzy set A in X represented by A={(𝑥, 𝜇 𝐴 (𝑥))/𝑥𝜀𝑋},where the function𝜇 𝐴 (𝑥):X→ [0,1] is the membership degree of element x in the fuzzy set A.

Definition: Intuitionistic Fuzzy Set

Let X be an Universe of discourse, then an Intuitionistic Fuzzy Set (IFS) A in X is given by A={(𝑥, 𝜇 𝐴 (𝑥), 𝜐 𝐴 (𝑥))/𝑥𝜀𝑋},where the function 𝜇 𝐴 (𝑥):X→ [0,1] and 𝜐 𝐴 (𝑥):X→ [0,1] determine the degree of membership and non-membership of the element𝑥𝜀𝑋, respectively and for every 𝑥𝜀𝑋,0 ≤ 𝜇 𝐴 (𝑥) + 𝜐 𝐴 (𝑥) ≤ 1.

Definition: Intuitionistic Fuzzy Number

An IFN A is  An IF subset of the real line.  Normal ie, there is an 𝑥 0 𝜀𝑅such that 𝜇 𝐴 (𝑥 0 ) =1 (so 𝜐 𝐴 (𝑥 0 ) =0).  Convex for the Membership function 𝜇 𝐴 (𝑥). ie, 𝜇 𝐴 (𝜆𝑥 1 + (1 -𝜆)𝑥 2 ) ≥ 𝑚𝑖𝑛( 𝜇 𝐴 (𝑥 1 ), 𝜇 𝐴 (𝑥 2 )) for every 𝑥 1 , 𝑥 2 𝜀𝑅, 𝜆𝜀[0,1].  Concave for the non-membership function ie 𝜐 𝐴 (𝜆𝑥 1 + (1 -𝜆)𝑥 2 ) ≤ 𝑚𝑎𝑥( 𝜐 𝐴 (𝑥 1 ), 𝜐 𝐴 (𝑥 2 )) for every 𝑥 1 , 𝑥 2 𝜀𝑅, 𝜆𝜀[0,1].

Definition: Trapezoidal Intuitionistic Fuzzy Number

An Intuitionistic Fuzzy Number 𝐴 = {< 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑 >< 𝑎 ′ , 𝑏 ′ , 𝑐 ′ , 𝑑 ′ >}is said to be a trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy number if its membership function and non-membership function are given by

Definition: Algebraic Operations of any Two Trapezoidal Intuitionistic Fuzzy Number Addition

Definition: Algebraic Operations of any Two Trapezoidal Intuitionistic Fuzzy Number Addition

Definition: Decision Maker's Risk Attitude Index

For an Intuitionistic fuzzy critical path analysis problem [14] , using the Trapezoidal Intuitionistic fuzzy numbers such as 𝑇 𝑖𝑗 =< 𝑎 𝑖𝑗 , 𝑏 𝑖𝑗 𝑐 𝑖𝑗 , 𝑑 𝑖𝑗 > to denote the intuitionistic fuzzy activity time of activity 𝐴 𝑖𝑗 the decision maker's risk attitude index 𝛽can be obtained by

where ACT and t denote the set of all actives and the number of actives in a project network, respectively.

Definition: Decision Maker's Risk Index Ranking Value

The ranking value 𝑅(𝐴 𝑖 ) of the trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy number 𝐴 𝑖 can be obtained as follows:

𝑅(𝐴 𝑖 ) = 𝛽[(𝑑 𝑖 -𝑥 1 )/(𝑥 2 -𝑥 1 -𝑐 𝑖 + 𝑑 𝑖 )] + (1 -𝛽){1 -[(𝑥 2 -𝑎 𝑖 )/(𝑥 2 -𝑥 1 + 𝑏 𝑖 -𝑎 𝑖 )]}. . . . . . . . . . . . (2) Where 𝛽is the decision maker's risk attitude index, 𝑥 1 = 𝑚𝑖𝑛{ 𝑎 1 , 𝑎 2, . . . . . . , 𝑎 𝑛 } and 𝑥 2 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥{ 𝑑 1 , 𝑑 2, . . . . . . , 𝑑 𝑛 }

Definition: Rules for Ranking Trapezoidal Intuitionistic Fuzzy Number

Now, we rank the intuitionistic fuzzy numbers 𝐴 𝑖 and 𝐴 𝑗 according to the following rules [9] :

Definition: An Intuitionistic Fuzzy Completion Time

Assume that there exists a path P c in a project network such that IFCPM(P c )=min{IFCPM(P i )/𝑃 𝑖 𝜀𝑃} then the path P c is an intuitionistic fuzzy critical path.

Intuitionistic fuzzy critical path analysis 3.1 Notation

Intuitionistic fuzzy critical path analysis 3.1 Notation

N :

The set of all nodes in a project network. A ij : The activity between nodes i and j. 𝑇 𝜇𝑖𝑗 , 𝑇 𝜐𝑖𝑗 : The intuitionistic fuzzy activity time for membership function and non-membership function.

Figures and tables from the paper

Table 1. The fuzzy activity time for each activity in the project network shown as above figure
Activity AijIntutionistic Fuzzy Activity time Tij
1-2<3, 5, 5, 7> <4, 5, 5, 8>
1-3<5, 10, 10, 15> <6, 10, 10, 16>
2-3<1, 3, 4, 5> <2, 3, 4, 5>
2-4<2, 4, 5, 6> <3, 4, 5, 7>
3-4<6, 8, 10, 11> <7, 8, 10, 12>

Table text extracted from the original PDF; superscript letters are shown inline. The original table image is below.

View original table image
The fuzzy activity time for each activity in the project network shown as above figure↗ Enlarge
Table 1
The fuzzy activity time for each activity in the project network shown as above figure

The fuzzy activity time for each activity in the project network shown as above figure

Open full-size image ↗
Original paper tableSource PDF · page 4 ↗
Table 2. Total slack intuitionistic fuzzy time for each activity
Total slack intuitionistic fuzzy time for each activity↗ Enlarge
Table 2
Total slack intuitionistic fuzzy time for each activity

Total slack intuitionistic fuzzy time for each activity

Open full-size image ↗
Original paper figureSource PDF · page 4 ↗
Table 3. Rank value of total slack intuitionistic fuzzy time of all possible paths
PathsIFCP(Pµk) K=1–mRank value Using equation 1 β=0.602 x1=-39, x2=47RankIFCP(Pνk) K=1-mRank value Using equation 1 β=0.35 x1=-45, x2=11Rank
1 →2 →4<-14,7,15,37>0.5606III<-26,-10,-6,9>0.5827III
1 →2 →3 →4<-39,-4,10,47>0.5360II<-45,-20,-12,11>0.4487II
1 →3 →4<-30,-4,4,30>0.4953I<-43,-21,-14,4>0.4318I

Table text extracted from the original PDF; superscript letters are shown inline. The original table image is below.

View original table image
Rank value of total slack intuitionistic fuzzy time of all possible paths↗ Enlarge
Table 3
Rank value of total slack intuitionistic fuzzy time of all possible paths

Rank value of total slack intuitionistic fuzzy time of all possible paths

Open full-size image ↗
Original paper tableSource PDF · page 4 ↗

References

14 in the original paper
  1. Atanassov K. Intuitionistic Fuzzy sets, and systems. 1986; 20(1):87-96.
  2. Chen CT, Huang SF. Applying fuzzy methods for measuring criticality in project network, Information sciences. 2007; 177:2448-2458.
  3. Chanas SP, Zielinski. Critical Path analysis in the Network with Fuzzy Activity Times, Fuzzy sets and Systems. 2001; 122:195-204.
  4. Dubois D, Prade H. Possibility Theory: An Approach to Computerized Processing of Uncertainty, New York: Plenum, 1988.
  5. Elizabeth S, Sujatha L. Fuzzy Critical Path Problem for Project Network. International Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics. 2013; 85(2):223-240.
  6. Liang GS, Han TC. Fuzzy Critical Path for Project Network, Information and Management Sciences. 2004; 15(4):29-40.
  7. Mahdavi I, Nourifar R, Heidarzade A, Amiri NM. A Dynamic Programming Approach for Finding Shortest Chains in Fuzzy Network, Applied Soft Computing. 2009; 9(2):502-511.
  8. Nasution SH. Fuzzy critical path method, IEEE Trans. Systems ManCyber net. 1994; 24:48-57.
  9. Salim Rezvani. Ranking method of Trapezoidal Intuitionistic Fuzzy, Annals of Fuzzy Mathematics and Informatics. 2013; 5(3):515-523.
  10. Slyeptsov AI, Tyshchuk TA. Fuzzy Critical Path Method for Project Network Planning and Control, Cyber net. System Anal. 1997; 3:158-170.
  11. Zadeh LA. Fuzzy sets, Information and control. 1965; 8:138-353.
  12. Chanas S, Zielinski P. Critical path analysis in the network with fuzzy activity times, Fuzzy Sets and Systems. 2001; 122:195-204.
  13. Slyeptsov AI, Tyshchuk TA. A method of computation of characteristics of operations in a problem of fuzzy network, Cybernetics and Planning and Management System Analysis. 2003; 39(3):367-378.
  14. Jayagowri P, Geetharamani G. A Critical Path Problem Using Intuitionistic Trapezoidal Fuzzy Number, Applied Mathematical Sciences. 2014; 8(52):2555-2562.

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