Title: Modular product architecture to manage product development complexity

Authors: Ahm Shamsuzzoha; Petri Helo; Sujan Piya; Mohammed Alkahtani

Addresses: School of Technology and Innovations, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, FI-65101, Finland ' School of Technology and Innovations, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, FI-65101, Finland ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 123, P.C. 33, Muscat, Oman ' Industrial Engineering Department, King Saud University, P.O. Box 800, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: Shorter product life cycles, together with heterogeneous market demands, are forcing manufacturing companies to eliminate or reduce complexities in product development and supply chain. These complexities arise due to high level of interdependencies between component interfaces and supply chain participants. To address such complexities, companies need to focus on their product architecture and supply chain design. In this research, the impact of product architecture on developing modular products is highlighted. This modular principle is elaborated with the objective to reduce product development complexities. A case example is presented to define the importance of product architecture with the help of a design structure matrix (DSM) tool to reduce product development complexity. In addition, various drivers responsible for supply chain complexities are identified and categorised, and the relationship between product architecture and supply chain complexities are defined within the scope of this research.

Keywords: product architecture; design structure matrix; DSM; modularity; complexity; component interfaces; supply chain.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISE.2020.110243

International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 2020 Vol.36 No.2, pp.225 - 247

Received: 29 Dec 2018
Accepted: 15 Apr 2019
Published online: 12 Oct 2020 *

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