Title: Product architecture and platforms: a conceptual framework

Authors: Moreno Muffatto, Marco Roveda

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Padua, Via Venezia 1, 35131 Padua, Italy. Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Padua, Via Venezia 1, 35131 Padua, Italy

Abstract: The search for continuous improvement in product development forces companies to look for new competitive capabilities based on a redesign of their product strategies. In particular, the role of product architectures, product platforms and modularisation, becomes important in shaping the development and operations strategies. The paper offers a general framework explaining the relevant product structure concepts that could be used to improve product strategies and the management of the development process. The main relationships between these concepts are analysed, highlighting major constraints and opportunities.

Keywords: new product development; product architectures; platforms vehicles.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2002.003040

International Journal of Technology Management, 2002 Vol.24 No.1, pp.1-16

Published online: 10 Jul 2003 *

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