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Operations Management: MS 421 Product Architecture

Product architecture refers to how the functional elements of a product are arranged physically. There are two main types: integral architecture where functions are shared by physical elements and modular architecture where each function is delivered by a separate element. Choosing the right product architecture involves considering factors like product change needs, variety requirements, manufacturing costs, and more. Delayed differentiation is a supply chain concept where generic products are initially made and later differentiated, allowing flexibility and reduced inventories.

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34 views

Operations Management: MS 421 Product Architecture

Product architecture refers to how the functional elements of a product are arranged physically. There are two main types: integral architecture where functions are shared by physical elements and modular architecture where each function is delivered by a separate element. Choosing the right product architecture involves considering factors like product change needs, variety requirements, manufacturing costs, and more. Delayed differentiation is a supply chain concept where generic products are initially made and later differentiated, allowing flexibility and reduced inventories.

Uploaded by

The Crimi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Operations Management

MS 421
Product Architecture
Product Architecture
Product Architecture
• Product architecture is the scheme by which the functional elements
of the product are arranged into physical chunks and by which the
chunks interact.

• Architecture is related to System Level Design.

• Architecture also has profound implications for how the product is


designed, made, sold, used, repaired, etc
Product Architecture Example
Role of Product Architect in Product Development
Influence of Product Architecture
• During Product Development
• How parts/families are structured?
• DFC (Design for Cost)
• What are boundaries of modules/sub-assemblies

• During Production Design 


• Assembly Sequence
• Sharing of facilities
• Planning for flexibility

During Manufacturing and Assembling 


• Where productions happens?
• How orders are fulfilled?
• How un-predictable demand patterns are met?

During Use
• How product is updated?
• How product is recycled?
Two Types of Product Architects

• Integral  Functions shared by Physical Elements


• Modular  Each function is delivered by a separate element
Examples
Comparison
Modular Integral

Independent from each other PHYSICALLY and Integral from Inside and Inter-dependent on each
Functionally other
Standard pre-designed interfaces can be used Tailored interfaces and dependent on functional
behaviour
Modules can be inter changed Modules cannot necessarily be changed if other
structures also changed
Ability to compensate for any dimensional mis- Tailored specific solution hence no need to put
match extra efforts for dimensional accuracy
Modules occupy a lot of space Are integral and combined hence save space

Flexible production Not flexible production

More towards Business performance More towards technical performance

Reduced performance Enhanced performance

Easy to Change Hard to Change

Accommodate Made-to-Order products for a Can be Made-to –Order but not for a big chunk of
Chunk of Customers people
Product Structures
• Integral  Part’s are combined
• Differential  Parts are separated
• Stack/Serial
• Array/Parallel  Circuit Board

• Modularity
• Slot  Parts share structured common base e.g. Speedometer , Car Radio
• Bus  Parts share un-structured common base but similar interfaces e.g.
USB connectors

• Sectional  Parts are linked ; no base element e.g. Lego’s , Piping


Lehnerd-Mayor Platform Concept
Choosing Product Architecture

• Product Change
• Product Variety
• Standardization
• Performance
• Manufacturing Cost
• Project Management
• System Engineering
Delayed Differentiation

• A concept of Supply Chain management where the manufacturing


process starts by making generic product that is later differentiated in
specific end product.
• Used where demand un-certainity is high
• Reduced Inventories as well
Early Differentiation
Delayed Differentiation
Benefits of Delayed Differentiation
• Easy to Control
• Fast reaction to Customer Demand
• Lower Inventory cost
• Fewer Interfaces
• Modular Designs can allow delayed differentiation
Self Study
(Not included in Exams)
Establishing the Architecture
Cluster Elements into Chunks

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