DIVERGENCE IN PLATFORM COMMONALITY: EXAMINATION OF POTENTIAL COST IMPLICATIONS
DS 60: Proceedings of DESIGN 2010, the 11th International Design Conference, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Year: 2010
Editor: Marjanovic D., Storga M., Pavkovic N., Bojcetic N.
Author: Cameron, B. G.; Rhodes, R.; Boas, R.; Crawley, E. F.
Section: DESIGN PROCESSES
Page(s): 157-162
Abstract
Platforming has become an important means of cost-sharing across industrial products. Among many benefits, platforming enables cost savings. Recent work by Boas [2008] has shown that products built sequentially often exhibit decreases in commonality. We discuss some of the findings from case studies of divergence, and their implications for the management of design. Further, we examine in detail one potential detrimental effect – cost growth. Several metrics for tying divergence to cost effects are discussed, as well as the associated mechanisms which could link divergence to cost.
Keywords: platforms, commonality, cost