Chapter 2: Product/Service Development

Title: Challenges to create optimal product structure in case of configurable product

Author(s): Hanna Kropsu-Vehkapera, Harri Haapasalo, Olli Jaaskelainen

Address: University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4610, 90014, Finland | University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4610, 90014, Finland | University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4610, 90014, Finland

Reference: International Conference on Product Lifecycle Management 2010 pp. 64 - 74

Abstract/Summary: Product structure is important for product process but also for PDM system. Constructing the product structure in case of a configurable product is a challenging task. This study examines the requirements that the configurable product sets to the structure and brings out the major challenges to construct the product structure based on the high technology company examination. The major result is that too little emphasis is given for the product structure in business decisions. This is causing lacks on product configuration rule definitions and leading unmanageable deliverables with too much variation. Also companies still do not have enough knowledge to design optimal product structure and even specialists are unable to give good solutions to that. Practitioners should also notice that constructing the product structure is a key for sustainable product data management solution through product lifecycle.

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