Investigating the applicability of modular function deployment in the process industry

Integration of the Design Structure Matrix (DSM) and Modular Function Deployment (MFD) methods applied to mass customization aiming product modularization: a case study on heavy vehicle suspension

“…Among the various modularization methods available [22], the Modular Function Deployment (MFD) and Design Structure Matrix (DSM) were used in this work because they have similar characteristics, such as the matrix-based data entry and commercial and academic software available. In addition, they also have complementary characteristics and have already applied to industries ( [22]; [23]; [24]; [25]; [26]; [27]). The MFD uses hierarchical grouping and considers the company's global strategies, the customer requirements, and the engineering point of view [28].…”

Modular and Platform-based Product Development in the Process Industry: Enabling Efficient Product Variety Through Complexity Management

“…The "Synthesis" phase then demonstrated limited application of aspects of MFD in the industrial case (Mogensen et al, 2022). Learnings from this study prompted further analysis and development of several aspects of MFD, focusing on identifying module drivers in general (Andersen et al, 2022c) and in a specific case (Andersen et al, 2022a) before developing and validating an extended and adapted version of MFD in the industrial partner company (Andersen et al, 2022b).…”

“…From the "Discover" phase of the project, a potential was identified concerning adaptation of existing methods from discrete industry to application in the process industry (Andersen et al, 2022d). In the following "Synthesis" phase, the Modular function deployment (MFD) method for modular and platform-based product development was identified as suitable -subject to adaptations to the process industry context -due to its practitioner-oriented approach (Andersen et al, 2021). The "Synthesis" phase then demonstrated limited application of aspects of MFD in the industrial case (Mogensen et al, 2022).…”

“…Mogensen et al (2022) proposed definitions for modules applicable to the case company. Different module types were identified relating to product customization as well as product commonality (Andersen et al, 2022b). On the contrary, it can be concluded that since many process industry products are consumables (e.g., cleaning agents, food and beverages, or pharmaceuticals) or homogeneous (e.g., metals, ceramics or wood products) the "After sales" category of module drivers (i.e., upgrading, maintenance, recycling) were found mostly irrelevant to the case studied due to the nature of the products (see e.g., Andersen et al, 2021;Mogensen et al, 2022).…”

“…Some of the artifacts developed are argued to be industry-agnostic and would apply equally well to discrete and process industries. The feasibility of applying these methods is affected more by company-specific aspects not necessarily related to the industry of origin, such as the company's IT systems (Andersen et al, 2022a) or their familiarity with the topic (Andersen et al, 2022b). This is the case for the complexity mapping framework (Andersen et al, 2019), the module driver exploration method (Andersen et al, 2022a), and the technical solution exploration method in Andersen et al (2022b).…”