A Product Lifecycle Management-Oriented Fuzzy MCDM Model for Prioritizing Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Applications in Industrial Design and Manufacturing: Design Optimization and Robustness Analysis

This study addresses the challenge of prioritizing Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) applications in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) under multiple conflicting criteria. A comprehensive fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (FMCDM) framework is proposed to support robust and unbiased decision-making. The methodology integrates multiple objective weighting techniques, including Entropy, Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC), Method based on the Removal Effects of Criteria (MEREC), and Standard Deviation, which are aggregated using the Bonferroni operator to obtain balanced criterion weights. The Fuzzy Measurement of Alternatives and Ranking according to Compromise Solution (MARCOS) method is employed as the primary ranking approach, supported by comparative methods such as Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), VIšekriterijumsko KOmpromisno Rangiranje (VIKOR), Evaluation based on Distance from Average Solution (EDAS), Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS), and Multi-Objective Optimization on the basis of Ratio Analysis (MOORA) for validation. The results indicate that Virtual Reality Digital Prototyping and Design Review (A3) is the most preferred alternative, achieving the highest utility value (0.95267), followed by Augmented Reality-Assisted Assembly and Inspection Guidance (A1) and Augmented Reality-Supported Maintenance and Operator Training (A4). A high Stability Index of 0.9133 confirms robustness, and sensitivity analysis shows stable rankings. The framework provides a reliable and scalable decision-support system for smart manufacturing.