Platform-based product development in order to deal with varieties in production line

Due to increasing demands for products variants with reduced developmental time, forced manufacturing firms to consider effective and organized product development approach. In order to fulfill such requirements, firms are increasingly moving towards platform-based product development approach with a view to reduce complexity and better leverage investments in product design, manufacturing and marketing. It is very much challenging to create effective product varieties efficiently and economically. Researchers have continued to produce substantial amount of work on developing product varieties through product family, platform design and standardization. In literature, various concepts are related with platform thinking such as; component standardization, parts commonality, modularity, product variety or family, product and process platform. In this paper, an overview of platform design is presented for the purpose of customization and globalized business solutions. A generic design structure matrix (DSM) tool is outlined, which presents an effective methodology for platform formation. This methodology is explained through an example taken from a diesel fueled ship engine. Various limitations and risks associated with platform-based product development are also discussed along with some future research directions too.