Knowledge Base Repository
In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
Renewal of Modular Product Platforms: Towards a Comprehensive Modeling Method for Managing the Transition
Mueller, Sean Ryan; Roth, Daniel; Kreimeyer, Matthias
Type:
Year:
2026
Editor:
Langner, Christopher; Kreimeyer, Matthias; Panarotto, Massimo; Cascini, Gaetano; Browning, Tyson R.; Eppinger, Steven D.; Yassine, Ali A.
Author:
Series:
DSM
Institution:
University of Stuttgart, Institute of Engineering Design and Industrial Design, Germany
Page(s):
021-030
DOI number:
ISBN:
NA
ISSN:
NA
Abstract:
Shorter product lifecycles, new technologies, and competitive pressure result in the constant need to renew product portfolios. For variant-rich product platforms, this confronts companies with complex transition scenarios. Existing approaches largely treat product platforms as static and offer limited support for analyzing their evolution and replacement over time. Based on requirements derived from literature and industrial insights, this paper proposes a comprehensive modeling method that integrates the commercial and technical portfolio with a temporal dimension and analytical capabilities. DMMs are utilized to model cross-generational dependencies, lifecycle information, and future scenarios. The application to an industrial case demonstrates how the approach supports quantitative evaluation of different scenarios, by deriving configuration-level roadmaps, estimating sales volumes and assessing product complexity during the transition. The results illustrate how such models can support cross-functional planning and decision-making of platform renewals in practice and provide a strong foundation for future research on data-driven platform lifecycle management.
Keywords:
