Maintenance criticality analysis using TOPSIS

In this paper, a multi factor decision making approach is presented for prioritizing failures causes for the digester of pulping system of a paper mill as an alternative to traditional approach of failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA). The approach is based on the `technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution' (TOPSIS). The priority ranking is formulated on the basis of six parameters (failure occurrence, non detection, maintainability, spare parts, economic safety and economic cost). The Shannon's entropy concept is used for assigning objective weights to maintenance parameters.