Abstract
The paper puts into perspective the issue of product modeling methods. The product modeling structure should be done in the most optimal way to ensure that the intended purpose is indeed achieved. The process of modeling a product consists of six major activities; however, they can be composed into several sub activities depending on the number of components involved in the entire process. The six major activities discussed include the definition of products components, definition of product assortment, product structuring, and creation of a master structure, documenting, and definition of the structure views of the product.
Introduction
Product structure is a decomposition of hierarchical product. In order to ensure that the product is more responsive to the unique customer needs there is need to have an effective product structure modeling. The product modeling structure should be done in the most optimal way to ensure that the intended purpose is indeed achieved (Hvam, 2009). It is worth noting that advanced modeling techniques are put in place to ensure that the products are changing part of the product to ensure that it has multiple impacts that can accord the product an edge in the market.
Product breakdown
There are critical concepts that should be taken into consideration when dealing with the issue of product breakdown. The meta-data model is a good concept because it ensures that the product breakdown is put into perspectives. A fundamental component of the product is best illustrated through the product component and their relationship. The relationship that exist in the product can be traced from the various items linking them. For instance, assembly usually consists parts, and subassemblies and subassemblies can also be subdivided into smaller parts or be part of a configuration from another assembly.
This trend confirms the existence of hierarchical order in modeling. In general, the concept of product breakdown is overlapping, and this can be attributed to the fact that some parts of subassembly could be part of a different configuration. In order to realize clarity, it is of paramount importance that measures are put in place to ensure that the various concepts are well indicated since there is a high level of overlapping and differentiation. In the differentiation, three concepts usually come into play; they include variants, alternatives, and regions. An alternative for an item broadly refers to the substitute of a particular item (Hvam, 2009). This move is very common in the sense that there exists very many alternatives for various items involved in the project breakdown. On the other hand, variant refers to an option available for the client to choose from. It is worth noting that every time there is an error at subassembly or a part, measures should be put in place to address the error through revisions. It is important that the individuals involved in the product manufacturing makes deliberate efforts to ensure that they are able to detect errors in good time and make corrective measures.
The modeling process
The process of modeling a product consists of six major activities; however, the can be composed into several sub activities depending on the number of components involved in the entire process. The six major activities include the definition of products components, definition of product assortment, product structuring, and creation of a master structure, documenting, and definition of the structure views of the product.
- Definition of product components
This has three main sub activities involved; they include identification of parts, specification of sub-assemblies, configuration of the product, and specification of variants. Identification of parts deals with bill of material; this implies that the materials are described for each product. The result of this activity involves giving a list of the critical parts of each element. The other activity within the definition of a product is referred to as specifications of sub-assemblies. This involves mulling together several parts which are described in the subassembly (Peltonen, 2010). It is important to note that this part can also consist of a component that is atomic in nature and forms part of the whole assembly. On the other hand, configuration of a product refers to an activity within the assembly in which construction of subassembly and parts takes place.
- Definition of product assortment
The activity involves two main activities which are the specification of alternatives and implementation of a revision. Specification of alternatives involves definition and specification of parts as well as sub-assemblies. On the other hand, implementation of the revision is conducted with the aim of ensuring that there is consistency in the product structure. It occurs when the process structure is iterated and changed in the process of modeling of the product to ensure consistency.
- Product structuring
Product structuring is an elaborate process and critical activity in product modeling. It consists of one major activity which is the definition of relationship between items. This activity is very important in the sense that it forms the actual structure of the product.
- Creation of master structure
This activity involves bringing together relationships that exist between items. The items vary from assemblies, parts, and subassemblies. This activity is critical to the whole process of product modeling since it ensures that the final product meets the need and requirements of the customers who are targeted by this end products.
- Documenting
This is yet another elaborate process which goes a long way to ensure that parts in the product structure are documented to the latter. The major activity that take place is known as “link product definition”. It is important that even the revisions involved in the product structure be well documented for the sake of correctness and accuracy.
- Definition of product structure views
This involves two major activities which should be undertaken; they include specification of required views and creation of AD (activity domain) specific views. Under specification of required views, all the requisite views which are critical to the product in question are specified. On the other hand, creation of AD specific views comes handily in the creation of master structure for each activity domain. The concept is largely used in conducting sales promotion. Some of the marketing strategies that the company wishes to pursue in order to achieve increased business performance in terms of revenues include digital marketing, integrated marketing approach, and direct consumer marketing. Digital marketing is an emerging market trend; it is widely practiced because it has wide coverage.
Process Data Model
Process-data model is a good model in the sense that it results into the process data diagram that can be followed in executing process data diagram. The diagram puts into perspective the various steps that should be followed in modeling of the product structure. The diagram has deliverables in the right side, and they represent the outcomes of the activities involved in the process data modeling.
Product structure modeling for a car manufacturing company
The car manufacturing is one of the processes that uses the product structure modeling criteria. The subsequent paragraphs highlights the major activities which are identifiable through the process of product structure modeling. The six major activities involved in the car manufacturing include definition of products components, definition of product assortment, product structuring, and creation of a master structure, documenting, and definition of the structure views of the product.
- Define product component
In this process, all the components involved in car manufacturing are identified then indicated. The product components specific to car manufacturing include a car that is an assembly, it involves several subassemblies that include the engine of the car and the general body of the car. For instance, the engine is assembled in bits and involves parts such as screws and pipes.
- Define product assortment
In the case of car manufacturing, the issue of product assortment definition is still relevant. For instance, the engine comprises of myriad of alternatives; there exist a car engine from Japan, Italy, America, and Germany. With all this engines in place, the variants are inevitable. Take the case of 1.6 engine, such an engine can have a variant such as 1.8 engine made from the 1.6 engine (Rampersad, 2005). Variant refers to an option available for the client to choose from. This scenario would mean that the base concept of 1.6 engine is used in the design of the new 1.8 engine. The concept is illustrated in the diagram below;
- Product structuring
There exists several correlation between items within the car manufacturing. For instance, the engine is connected to the body by the help of several screws. The two items in a car which is are the engine and body are connected through a concept of a relationship.
- Creation of master structure
The subsequent process after structuring of product is the creation of master structure. The structuring helps in the formation of the relationship between various concepts in car manufacturing. The Master Structure goes in depth to put into perspective all the important details of the product (Svensson & Malmqvist, 2002). For instance, in car manufacturing, it is important that, under master structure, all the components such as screw and engine should be documented in a single Master Structure. The concept is illustrated below;
- Documenting
The Masters Structure of a car is not always complete when there is an absence of proper documentation of the various critical components of the car. It is important that the individuals involved in the product manufacturing makes deliberate efforts to ensure that they are able to detect errors in good time and make corrective measures. Documentation of the car involves illuminating various critical concepts about the cars that are linked to the Masters Structure of the car in question.
- Definition of product structure views
There are several views that can be reached at in the car assembly by the car manufacturer. Under specification of required views, all the requisite views which are critical to the product in question are specified. On the other hand, creation of AD specific views comes handily in the creation of master structure for each activity domain. For instance, with regards to the sale there is need to come up with a structure that gives details about the unique functions and the characteristics of the car. The success to any business largely depends on how best the marketing team has crafted its marketing strategy. One of the most important marketing strategies is market segmentation. Market segmentation refers to the capacity of an organization to divide its market into a submarket that seeks to address the different consumer needs. The best way to champion market segmentation is through aggressive media campaign.
The possible market segments include those that targets the youth, the elderly, those that are based on gender, market segment could also target seasonal changes in the economy among others. Each market segment that an organization adopts must have a differentiated product that meets the expectation and the need of this market segment (Eastman, 2009). For instance, a market segment that targets the youth must have a tailor made products and services that appeal to the youth. The sales manager needs to have full details relating to the characteristics of the car such as colour, gear type, and make to help them formulate an objective view about the product. On the other hand, the department that deals with issues of purchases needs to come up with ways of ensuring that they get all the information from the suppliers of various components of the car. This will make them to come up with an objective view which will be utilized to source for the suppliers of various car components.
The success of any service firm depends on an elaborate and detailed design of every action. Therefore, every part of the service delivery processes and other supporting processes ought to be thoroughly planned so that the customer’s experience is maximized. The major service processes for the various players in this industry include; where the customers are served, the persons who should serve them, and the way they ought to be served.
The objective of the advertising message is, therefore, to sell these unique features to a prospective client base. In order to make sure that this message reaches intended client base, the company will target a host of media platforms both digital and traditional. This move is justified in the sense that it will ensure that the message has a wide coverage (Eastman, 2009). With a wide coverage, guaranteed the new car would indeed outclass the rest of the brands from the rival companies. In order to make sure that the message is appealing and captures the attention on the intended client measures, the message will be accompanied with images that put into perspective the unique features and the artistic impression of the car. Despite the fact that the message communicates the features of the car, accompanying it with images enhances the message since the target customers are able to relate the message with the image to get a practical impression of this technological masterpiece.
Conclusion
Product structure is a decomposition of hierarchical product. In order to ensure that the product is more responsive to the unique customer needs there is need to have an effective product structure modeling. A fundamental component of the product is best illustrated through the product component and their relationship. The relationship that exist in a product can be traced from the various items linking them. For instance, assembly usually consists parts, and subassemblies and subassemblies can also be subdivided into smaller parts or be part of a configuration from another assembly. The modeling process of a product consists of six major activities which have been discussed in the previous paragraphs. The six major activities include definition of products components, definition of product assortment, product structuring, and creation of a master structure, documenting, and definition of the structure views of the product.
References
Eastman, C. (2009). Building Product Models: Computer Environments, Supporting Design and Construction. New York: CRC Press.
Hvam, L. (2009). A procedure for building product models. Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, 15, 77-87
Peltonen, H. (2010). Concepts and an Implementation for Product Data Management. Acta Polytechnica Scandinavica, Mathematics and Computing Series No. 105, pp. 188
Rampersad, H.K. (2005). Concentric Design of Robotic Assembly Systems. Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 14(4), 230-243
Svensson, D. & Malmqvist, J. (2002). Strategies for Product Structure Management at Manufacturing Firms. Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, 2(1), 50-58.
