A generic framework for cost estimation and cost control in product design

Traditionally, cost estimation was performed after the design process, though most opportunities of cost reduction have already passed. Therefore, it is advantageous to be able to estimate the product costs early in the product development cycle. By changing the way cost estimation is dealt with, it is possible to utilise all opportunities of cost reduction. To be able to control the product costs, it is necessary to estimate the costs adequately and to store the cost data in a generic way. A generic framework is developed to establish these requirements. The framework, which is the basis for the control of the production costs, takes into account design, process planning and production planning aspects.