Integration of strategic flexibility into the platform development process

Abstract

Platform systems are used for obtaining and sustaining competitive advantage, as they make possible derivation of a variant-rich product portfolio and at the same time provide cost advantages in development, production and assembly. In this paper, a methodology for conception of a platform system that is robust to internal and external dynamic changes, and which at the same time supports flexibility with respect to these dynamic influences is proposed. The proposed methodology is evaluated in a real industrial setting and has shown much better results as an unstructured method for incorporation of planed flexibility. In addition, the methodology is to date incorporated into the platform design process of the industrial partner and is used on day-to-day basis.