Measurement of product modularity degree to scale up family of product for achieving competitive

Product modularity is a growing concern among manufacturing companies, especially within small and medium enterprisers (SMEs). There are added benefits for companies to improve level of modularity within their product development sites as much as possible. This modularity level offers added benefits for the companies with respect to reduced lead-time, improve assemble ability, promote product family and enhance customers and rsquo; satisfactions. The focus of this research is to measure the modularity degree as a scope of developing family of product within selected Omani SMEs for mutual benefits. This research work will also provide a methodological framework that acts as a guideline to improve modularity degree of selected Omani SMEs existing product and/or new product portfolios. This proposed research will be conducted in three phases. Firstly, existing product and/or product portfolios of the selected SMEs will be investigated with respect to their components interfaces/interdependencies with each other and necessary data will be collected on this regard. Secondly, collected data will be analyzed to measure the modularity degree using Design Structure Matrix (DSM) tool. Finally, a methodological framework will be designed and developed that can be implemented within Omani SMEs as a guideline to improve their product modularity levels as a whole.

Product modularity is a growing concern among manufacturing companies, especially within small and medium enterprisers (SMEs). There are added benefits for companies to improve level of modularity within their product development sites as much as possible. This modularity level offers added benefits for the companies with respect to reduced lead-time, improve assemble ability, promote product family and enhance customers and rsquo; satisfactions. The focus of this research is to measure the modularity degree as a scope of developing family of product within selected Omani SMEs for mutual benefits. This research work will also provide a methodological framework that acts as a guideline to improve modularity degree of selected Omani SMEs existing product and/or new product portfolios. This proposed research will be conducted in three phases. Firstly, existing product and/or product portfolios of the selected SMEs will be investigated with respect to their components interfaces/interdependencies with each other and necessary data will be collected on this regard. Secondly, collected data will be analyzed to measure the modularity degree using Design Structure Matrix (DSM) tool. Finally, a methodological framework will be designed and developed that can be implemented within Omani SMEs as a guideline to improve their product modularity levels as a whole.