Modern manufacturing systems, because of their complexity, must often by an
alysed experimentally. A prerequisite for performing experimental analysis
is that the system variables of interest (factors) are independent. Dependi
ng upon the nature of the system of concern and the analysis objectives, ho
wever, situations may arise where the system variables are not independent.
This paper is concerned with the development of a methodology for developi
ng and implementing experimental designs for such systems. The methodology
involves specifying a system design procedure such that the algorithms used
for solving for the variables correspond to the design factors: the experi
mental design then involves varying the design approach (i.e. collection of
algorithms) rather than the actual system itself. The methodology is illus
trated by way of an example. Besides its utility for manufacturing systems
analysis, the methodology also offers promise as the foundation of a new, e
xperimental approach to developing manufacturing system design heuristics.