Utilizing TOPSIS: A Multi Criteria Decision Analysis Technique for Non-Functional Requirements Conflicts

Dewi Mairiza, Didar Zowghi, Vincenzo Gervasi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Experience shows that many software systems suffer from inherent conflict among Non-Functional Requirements (NFRs). It also confirms that resolution strategies for handling NFRs conflicts often result in changing overall design guidelines, not by simply changing one module. Therefore, in software system development, software developers need to analyse the NFRs and conflicts among them in order to make decisions about alternative design solutions. This paper presents the use of Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach for NFRs conflict decision analysis. TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution), as one of the essential MCDA techniques has been adopted to resolve such conflict. We show how the systematic application of TOPSIS can assist software developers select the most preferable design solutions with respect to the conflicting NFRs. The quantitative result generated with this technique will be used as the basis for decision support. An example that shows the application of TOPSIS is also presented.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRequirements Engineering - 1st Asia Pacific Requirements Engineering Symposium, APRES 2014, Proceedings
PublisherSpringer Verlag
Pages31-44
Number of pages14
ISBN (Print)9783662436097
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014
Event1st Asia Pacific Requirements Engineering Symposium, APRES 2014 - Auckland, New Zealand
Duration: 28 Apr 201429 Apr 2014

Publication series

NameCommunications in Computer and Information Science
Volume432 CCIS
ISSN (Print)1865-0929

Conference

Conference1st Asia Pacific Requirements Engineering Symposium, APRES 2014
Country/TerritoryNew Zealand
CityAuckland
Period28/04/1429/04/14

Keywords

  • MCDA
  • Non-Functional Requirements
  • TOPSIS
  • conflict resolution
  • decision analysis
  • design solution

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