Here, we propose a fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) method to evaluate the alternatives of enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. The fuzzy AHP approach allows the users get values more accurately to model the vagueness which changes according subjective ideas in the decision-making environment for ERP system selection problem. Therefore, fuzzy AHP method is used to obtain firm decisions and noticeable solutions. The criteria are determined and then compared according to their importance. The methodology also gives some suggestions about successful ERP selections. The proposed methodology can be used for other sectors with some changes. Fuzzy group decision-making can be used for this purpose. We show how effective fuzzy AHP is as a decision-making tool in system selection problem. It is seen that fuzzy AHP is a useful decision-making methodology to make more precise selection-decisions that may help the company to achieve a competitive edge in a complex environment. Fuzzy AHP approach incorporates quantitative data of the criteria, which have to be evaluated by qualitative measures. The proposed selection methodology is flexible to incorporate new or extra criteria or decisions for the evaluation process. Besides, this methodology provides the opportunity to a project team to decompose complicated selection problem into smaller parts. Thus, the project team can understand the relationships among different criteria and easily assign its own ideas to the hierarchical structure. Also, a case study is presented to demonstrate the feasibility of the framework.

Abstract This author introduces the concept of Stepwise Strategy Approach (SSA) for dealing with a number of problems arises in the current age of technology. This new idea is combined with the knowledge of Grey Theory for adding flexibility to decision making process. Grey theory is useful for grasping the ambiguity exists in the utilized information and the fuzziness appears in the human judgments and preferences. This article is a very useful source of information for Fuzzy Grey and decision making using more than one decision makers in fuzzy environment. A case study on system selection comprised of 12 attributes and 4 alternatives is constructed and solved by the proposed method and the results are analyzed. For the validation of the results obtained by the Grey theory, the fuzzy VIKOR and Fuzzy TOPSIS were employed for computational purposes. The results of these three approaches on the proposed case study are closely related. Due to the fact that this author proposes the “Stepwise Strategy” approach for implementing a new technology in industries, where already the management of an older compatible type of technology is in existence, along with the grey theory concept and data whitenization approach, its contribution to the literature of operations research is highly recognizable.