Title: A holistic derivatives planning approach for platform-based designs

Authors: Dimitrios P. Koumanakos, Emmanuel D. Adamides

Addresses: Section of Management and Organisational Studies, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, University of Patras, Rion 26500, Greece. ' Section of Management and Organisational Studies, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, University of Patras, Rion 26500, Greece

Abstract: In determining the sequence of derivatives| introduction in platform-based product designs, companies must take into account market and operational parameters simultaneously in a consistent way. This paper provides a quasi-analytical method for doing this by exploiting the representation of product structure, operations (sourcing and production), and market information in hypernetworks. Hence, derivatives sequences can be efficiently assessed with respect to their correspondence to market requirements, and the cost of switching from one derivative to another. The paper presents the theory behind and the development of the derivatives| assessment and comparison method, and its use by means of an example case.

Keywords: product platforms; derivatives planning; sourcing; hypernetworks; product design; product structure; operations; production; market information.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2011.042025

International Journal of Product Development, 2011 Vol.13 No.4, pp.273 - 297

Published online: 27 Feb 2015 *

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