Sara Shafiee

The documentation of product configuration systems

The process of generating documentation from the PCS based on the available knowledge inside PCS.Display Omitted Lack of documentation degrades the quality of product configuration systems.To improve the documentation process, a framework is developed.An IT documentation system based on the configuration system knowledge is developed.The results indicate improved quality and performance of the configuration systems. When designing and maintaining a product configuration system (PCS), complete and up-to-date documentation of the system is needed in the form of a product model that outlines the structures, attributes, and constraints of the PCS. Furthermore, up-to-date documentation for the PCS is crucial for maintenance, further development, system quality and communication with domain experts. Product models are the main communication and documentation tools used in PCS projects. Recent studies have shown that up-to-date documentation for the PCS is often lacking due to the significant amount of work required to maintain product models. To address these challenges, this paper proposes an approach for documenting the PCS that is based on the structure, attributes, and constraints modelled within the PCS, in which the product model is generated directly from the PCS. The suggested approach avoids knowledge duplication, as knowledge needs to be maintained within the PCS only. It involves two steps: the first is the building of the initial product model, which is used for the programming of the PCS. In the second step, the product model is generated directly from the PCS and is based on the structure, attributes, and constraints inside the PCS. The product model does not need to be maintained, therefore, outside the PCS. This approach meets the demand for agile documentation and efficient communication with domain experts, and uses the fewest resources possible. Furthermore, to support the framework, an IT documentation system is proposed that is capable of retrieving knowledge from the PCS and thus generating the product model. Our framework and IT documentation system were developed and tested at a case company on five different projects. The results confirm that benefits can be achieved by using the proposed IT documentation system, as time and resources are saved, while the quality of the PCS is improved.

Analysis of visual representation techniques for product configuration systems in industrial companies

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for customized products. Product configuration systems (PCS) are introduced as one of the most successful systems of artificial intelligent for providing customized products. One of the main challenges in PCSs projects are described in relation with knowledge representations and communications with domain experts. The results presented in the paper are therefore aimed to provide insight into the impact from using visual knowledge representations techniques in PCSs projects. The findings indicate that use of visual knowledge representations techniques in PCSs projects will result in improved quality of maintenance and development support for the knowledge base and improved quality of the communication with domain experts.

How to scope configuration projects and manage the knowledge they require

Purpose This paper aims to explore the use of the knowledge management (KM) perspective for configuration projects. Configuration projects implement configurators as information technology systems that help companies manage the specification process of customised products. An effective method of retrieving and formalising knowledge for configurators is essential, because it can reduce the risk of unsuccessful implementation and the time and effort required for development. Unfortunately, no standard KM frameworks are available specifically for configuration projects. This study identifies the knowledge necessary for different phases of a configuration project (which knowledge, for what purpose and from what sources), examines how it is transformed during a configuration project (what KM activities and tools are used) and establishes how the knowledge can be documented for future maintenance and updates. Design/methodology/approach This paper proposes a four-step framework for making the KM process more efficient in configuration projects. The framework is based on the literature, developed in collaboration with industrial partners and tested on four configuration projects in two engineering companies. The framework is a structured KM approach designed to save time for both domain experts and the configuration team. The authors have used a qualitative exploratory design based on multiple data sources: documentation, workshops and participant observation. Findings The proposed framework comprises four steps: determination of the system’s scope, to establish the project’s goal based on stakeholders’ requirements and prioritise the required products and processes; knowledge acquisition, to classify the knowledge according to the desired output and identify different knowledge sources; modelling and knowledge validation; and documentation and maintenance, to ensure that the KM system can be maintained and updated in the future. Research limitations/implications Because the framework is tested on a limited number of cases, its generalisability may be limited. However, focusing on a few case applications allows us to assess the effectiveness of the framework in detail and in depth to identify the practical challenges of applying it. The results of the tests support the framework’s validity. Although the framework is designed mainly for engineering companies, other industries could benefit from using it as well. Practical implications The individual steps of the framework create a structured approach for the KM process. Thus, the approach can save both time and resources for companies, without the need for additional investment. Originality/value A standard framework is lacking in the literature on KM for configuration projects. This study fills that gap by developing a KM framework for configuration projects, based on KM frameworks developed for IT projects, and KM tools.

The impact of applying product-modelling techniques in configurator projects

This paper aims to increase understanding of the impact of using product-modelling techniques to structure and formalise knowledge in configurator projects. Companies that provide customised products increasingly apply configurators in support of sales and design activities, reaping benefits that include shorter lead times, improved quality of specifications and products, and lower overall product costs. The design and implementation of configurators are a challenging task that calls for scientifically based modelling techniques to support the formal representation of configurator knowledge. Even though extant literature has shown the importance of formal modelling techniques, the impact of utilising these techniques remains relatively unknown. Therefore, this article studies three main areas: (1) the impact of using modelling techniques based on Unified Modelling Language (UML), in which the phenomenon model and information model are considered visually, (2) non-UML-based modelling techniques, in which only the phenomenon model is considered and (3) non-formal modelling techniques. This study analyses the impact to companies from increased availability of product knowledge and improved control of product variants. The methodology employed is an exploratory survey, followed by interviews with 18 manufacturing companies providing customised products. The results indicate that companies using UML-based modelling techniques tend to have improved documentation of their product knowledge and an improved ability to reduce the number of product variants. This paper contributes to an increased understanding of what companies can gain from using more formalised modelling techniques in configurator projects, and under what circumstances they should be used.

Return on investment from the use of product configuration systems – A case study

Abstract Product configuration systems (PCS) are increasingly being used in industrial companies to enable the efficient design of customized products. The literature describes substantial benefits that companies have achieved from the use of PCS, such as reduced resource consumption, reduced lead-time, improved quality, and increased sales, which should lead to a significant return on investment (ROI). However, there is little detailed quantification of the benefits, costs, and ROI from using PCS in the literature. Thus, the true value of PCS remains unknown. Hence, this study quantifies (1) the benefits in terms of reduced man-hours, improved quality of specifications, reduced lead-time, and increased sales and (2) the costs of development, implementation, and maintenance of PCS. Based on this, the ROI is calculated. The analyses presented in this study are based on a world-leading company in pump manufacturing. This study verifies the benefits of PCS that are described in the literature. Further, it contributes to the field by introducing a method to quantify the related benefits, costs, and ROI. Finally, the article illustrates how PCS can be used in companies having product portfolios consisting of a standard to engineered products.

The main challenges for manufacturing companies in implementing and utilizing configurators

Abstract Companies providing customized products increasingly apply configurators in supporting sales and design activities, thus improving lead-times, quality, cost, benefits perceived by customers, and customer satisfaction. While configurator advantages have been substantially investigated, the challenges of implementing and utilizing configurators have less often been considered. By reviewing relevant literature, the present study first categorizes the main challenges faced by manufacturing companies when implementing and utilizing configurators. Six main categories of challenges are identified: (1) IT-related, (2) product modeling, (3) organizational, (4) resource constraints, (5) product-related, and (6) knowledge acquisition. Second, through a survey, the importance of those categories of challenges is assessed, and the specific challenges within each of those categories are highlighted. Finally, it is investigated whether the importance of the main categories of challenges varies according to a number of potential context variables. The results of the survey, which studies manufacturing companies that use configurators in providing customized products, offer new insights into the importance of these categories of challenges. The findings contribute to the research on manufacturing companies’ utilization of configurators and will raise awareness of the main challenges associated with their implementation and use.

Identification of Profitable Areas to Apply Product Configuration Systems in Engineer-To-Order Companies

This chapter suggests a systematic framework for identifying potential areas, where Engineer-To-Order (ETO) companies may increase their profitability by implementing a Product Configuration Systems (PCSs). In order to do so, a three-step framework is proposed based on literature. The starting point is to conduct a profitability analysis to determine the accuracy of the cost estimations, and based on that the reason for the deviations across different projects is found. The next step is to generate the scope for different scenarios that aim to improve the current situation. Finally, it is suggested to make a cost-benefit analysis for different scenarios to determine where a PCS can provide the most benefits. This chapter is supplemented with a case study from an ETO company where potential areas for using PCS were found by applying the suggested framework.

Goal-Oriented Data Collection Framework in Configuration Projects

This article proposes a systematic framework for data collection when executing Product Configuration System (PCS) projects. Since the data collection in PCS is one of the most time-consuming tasks, a systematic framework to handle and manage the large amount of complex data in the early stages of the PCS project is needed. The framework was developed based on the current literature in the field and revised during testing at a case company. The framework has proven to provide a structural approach for data collection, which saved the company both time and money in the initial phases of the PCS project. The framework consists of five steps, which are: establishing a goal and the methods for stakeholder analysis, categorize and group the data collection, prioritizing of products and functionalities, collection and validation of the data by domain experts, and finally analysis, documentation, and maintenance in the future.

Development and implementation strategy for the of product configuration systems in engineer-to-order companies

This paper will address how to develop a strategy when developing and implementing product configuration systems (PCSs) in engineer-to-order (ETO) companies. PCSs are often gradually implemented especially where there are complex products and processes in order to break down the overall project and reduce risk. This highlights the importance of having an overall strategy to guide the long-term development and implementation of PCSs In this paper, guideline for making the strategy are provided and supplemented with examples based on a case study. The guideline includes the main objectives for the development and implementation process, PCSs to be used to support the sales and /or the engineering processes, more uniform IT support for making product configurations, combining output from different PCSs and finally integrations that includes both internal and external IT systems. Based on this an overview of how PCSs can support the overall configuration process can be generated.

Product configuration system and its impact on product's life cycle complexity

The purpose of this paper is to identify areas throughout a products lifecycle processes where complexity can be reduced by implementing a product configuration system (PCS). As discussed in the literature, several benefits are realized by using a PCS in terms of product and process standardization. This also leads to control and reduce of complexity both in products and processes. To this end, this research attempts to quantify and assess these benefits and is supported by empirical evidence. A case study of an engineering company is used and the results indicate significant improvements for the company in several life cycle processes.