Applying DSM Methodology to improve the Scheduling of functional integration in the Automotive Industry

DSM 14 Proceedings of the 16th International DSM conference: Risk and Change management in complex systems

Year: 2014
Editor: Marle, F.; Jankovic, M.; Maurer, M.; Schmidt, D. M.; Lindemann, U.
Author: Gaertner, T.; Schneider, S., Schlick, C. M.; Zibull, C.
Series: DSM
Section: Process Management in Complex Projects
Page(s): 277-285

Abstract

Functional integration projects in the automotive industry are highly complex development projects, which are determined by multi-level dependencies, iterative processing, limited resources, last-minute changes, and a multi-project working environment. In order to avoid project delays and quality issues, this paper presents a novel generic project schedule for functional integration projects based on the Design Structure Matrix methodology. This is intended to improve the planning of project timelines and required resources and capacities, to ensure tighter synchronization between the project teams, to serve as a guide for prioritizing tasks in parallel projects, as well as to serve as a basis for anticipating changes to the project stages when development changes or delays need to be accommodated.

Keywords: Project planning, project scheduling, functional dependencies, functional integration