AutoMan 2.0: Decision Support Software for Automated Manufacturing Investments. User Manual
Abstract
This manual documents AutoMan, a microcomputer program designed to support multi-criteria decisions about automated manufacturing investments. The program permits users to combine quantitative and qualitative criteria in evaluating investment alternatives. Quantitative criteria could include such traditional financial measures as Life-Cycle Cost and Net Present Value as well as such engineering performance measures as throughput and setup time. Qualitative criteria could include flexibility and product quality. First, the user specifies the evaluation criteria and the investment alternatives to be evaluated. Second, the user makes pairwise comparisons between criteria to establish their weights. Third, the user rates each investment alternative with respect to the criteria. The pairwise comparison process helps the user rate the qualitative criteria, while measured performance data, such as cost, setup time, or throughput, can be entered for quantitative criteria. AutoMan combines ratings with criteria weights into an overall rating for each investment alternative and then ranks alternatives. Finally, graphical sensitivity analysis can be conducted to visualize the overall ratings of every alternative for every possible weight that could be assigned to any criterion. AutoMan comes with sample decision models and a manual that includes a detailed tutorial, a glossary of evaluation criteria, a bibliography, and an index. Analytic hierarchy process; automation; automated manufacturing; decision, support software; economic evaluation; microcomputer software; multi-criteria decisions; performance measures; qualitative data; sensitivity analysis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA251906
Entities
People
- Barbara Lippiatt
- Katherine S. Johnson
- Stephen F. Weber
Organizations
- National Institute of Standards and Technology