The LTOPSIS: An alternative to TOPSIS decision-making approach for linguistic variables

This paper develops an evaluation approach based on the Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). When the input for a decision process is linguistic, it can be understood that the output should also be linguistic. For that reason, in this paper we propose a modification of the TOPSIS algorithm which develops the above idea and which can also be used as a linguistic classifier. In this new development, modifications to the classic algorithm have been considered which enable linguistic outputs and which can be checked through the inclusion of an applied example to demonstrate the goodness of the new model proposed.

► The TOPSIS method allows us to use the information to reach a satisfactory solution to a problem of decision making.
► An extension adapted to real life is proposed in which the decision makers usually talk in terms of language.
► The importance is that both inputs and outputs are linguistic.
► An application of this is given relating to an engine factory for naval applications.