Modular product architecture

doi:10.1016/S0142-694X(01)00004-7

Design Studies

Volume 22, Issue 5, September 2001, Pages 409-424

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0142-694X(01)00004-7 Get rights and content

Abstract

This paper presents an approach to architecting a product family that shares inter-changeable modules. Rather than a fixed product platform upon which derivative products are created through substitution of add-on modules, the approach here permits the platform itself to be one of several possible options. We first develop function structures for each product. After comparing function structures for common and unique functions, rules are applied to determine possible modules. This process defines possible architectures. Each architecture is represented using a matrix of functions versus products, with shared/unique function levels indicated. This provides a systematic approach to generating architectures.

Section snippets

Related work

The development of product families built on product platforms and shared modules has been the subject of much recent research. Meyer and Lehnerd² have done extensive case studies on platforms, pointing out their advantages and challenges, and demonstrating their ability to save costs. Other researchers such as Sanderson and Uzumeri³ and Henderson and Clark⁴ have also shown that the use of platforms has given companies an edge on the number of products they can offer and on their profitability

Approach

Our approach to architecting systems is outlined in Figure 1. Each step will be extensively covered in the subsequent sections. A design team developing a completely new product portfolio, or perhaps augmenting an existing product portfolio with additional product variants, would implement the process outlined here. This would occur after possible products are selected for inclusion in the portfolio product line and after the basic physical principles of each product are established. A design

Portfolio architecting

In this section, we describe the how to use the modularity matrix, family function structure, and modularity rules to develop the portfolio architecture. The approach described was used to analyze modules for the Black and Decker® VersaPak™ portfolio of products. Separate function structures were developed for each individual product, and a family function structure, as shown in Figure 3, was created. This family function structure takes into account all functions that the portfolio products

Conclusions

In this paper we have shown an approach towards architecting a portfolio of products to take advantage of possible commonality through the reuse of modules across the family of products. The method is based on functional modeling of the products using function structures. We begin by creating the function structure for each desired individual product. These function structures should embody a specific physical principle. We then combine these individual structures to construct a family function

Acknowledgements

The research reported in this document was made possible in part by the MIT Center for Innovation in Product Development under NSF Cooperative Agreement Number EEC-9529140. Any opinions, findings, or recommendations are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsors.

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View full text

Modular product architecture

Abstract

Section snippets

Related work

Approach

Portfolio architecting

Conclusions

Acknowledgements

Research Policy

The Power of Product Platforms

Architectural innovation: the reconfiguration of existing product technologies and the failure of established firms

Administrative Science Quarterly

Planning for product platforms

Sloan Management Review