Platform Product Development: Product Model — A System Structure Composed of Configurable Components

Abstract

Abstract This paper describes how the functional behavior and embodiment of design solutions can be modeled using configurable components. The concept of a system structure composed of configurable components is defined and put in context of business requirements as well as in context of design theory and more specifically the chromosome model and function-means-trees. The paper contends that this kind of product description is necessary from a business perspective in order to successfully manage development of derivative products and product variants based on a product platform concept. The concepts presented in this paper is currently being deployed at Saab Automobile as the next logical evolution of product description systems necessary in order to maintain competitiveness in the automotive business.