Product, process and methodology systematization to handle structural and computational complexity in product realization

Authors
Citation
B. Prasad, Product, process and methodology systematization to handle structural and computational complexity in product realization, SYST RES BE, 18(6), 2001, pp. 523-543
Citations number
44
Categorie Soggetti
Management
Journal title
SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE
ISSN journal
10927026 → ACNP
Volume
18
Issue
6
Year of publication
2001
Pages
523 - 543
Database
ISI
SICI code
1092-7026(200111/12)18:6<523:PPAMST>2.0.ZU;2-2
Abstract
This paper establishes a concept for Product, Process, and Methodology (PPM ) systematization to handle both structural complexity (often referred as h ard complexity) and computational complexity (also referred as soft complex ity) in product realization. A systematization methodology is proposed to h andle both these complexities through a four-stage process: Planning, Syste matization, Solution and Unification. Planning is the first stage where sys tem specification is defined. Systematization is a systematic decomposition of the problem into a set of discrete sub-problems. There are three kinds of systematization that can be employed in product realization: Methodology systematization, Product systematization and Process systematization. Duri ng the Solution stage, a number of computational alternatives, solution str ategies or topological options for handling soft complexity are obtained fo r each sub-problem, and the best solution is selected. Unification is an ag gregation or a reconstruction of an overall product solution from various a lternative solutions to the sub-problems. A branching and bounding methodology has been employed here first to branch the complex product and process into 'sub-domains' and 'loops' and later b ound these loops back into sub-domains and then further bound those sub-dom ains back into an integrated product development system. The branching and bounding methodology provides the product development teams the ability to refine successively the 'goodness or fitness' of a baseline product concept as teams proceed from one nested loop to another. PPM systematization is a convenient way of organizing the process necessary for a new product reali zation or for developing future product upgrades. Copyright (C) 2001 John W iley & Sons, Ltd.