Design structure matrix based value analysis of software product platforms. (28th June 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Helo, Petri T.; Shamsuzzoha, A.H.M.; Hilmola, Olli-Pekka
• Is Part Of: International journal of business excellence. Volume 3:Number 3(2010)
• Page Start: 261
• Page End: 278
• Publication Date: 2010-06-28
• Subjects: product platforms -- option value theory -- design architecture -- design structure matrix -- software development -- value analysis -- flexibility -- modifications -- maintenance -- interchangeability -- product design -- new product development -- NPD -- product variants -- software industry -- value option modelling -- decision-making; Reengineering (Management) -- Periodicals; Benchmarking (Management) -- Periodicals; Performance -- Management -- Periodicals; 658.401305
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-0047

Abstract

Product architecture is a baseline for the designing and developing of any product or service. It is an important stage of any design process. Flexibility in the design process with modifications, maintenance, inter-changeability, etc. can be obtained quite easily by adopting platform-based product design and development strategy. This strategy also supports firms in introducing new product variants, new applications and newer market segments without any major redesigning of existing products or product variants. In this paper various available product architectures are discussed and displayed with the help of the design structure matrix (DSM) tool, along with the value analysis process of platform-based product development strategy. An example is taken from a software company in order to demonstrate value option modelling for platform-based decision-making process. Several research outcomes and some future research directions are also discussed and presented in the conclusion section of this paper.