Optimal resource allocation for dynamic product development process via convex optimization

Chengyan Zhao, Masaki Ogura, Masako Kishida, Ali Yassine

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    6 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Resource allocation is an essential aspect of successful Product Development (PD). In this paper, we formulate the dynamic resource allocation problem of the PD process as a convex optimization problem. Specially, we build and solve two variants of this problem: the budget-constrained problem and the performance-constrained problem. We use convex optimization as a framework to optimally solve large problem instances at a relatively small computational cost. The solutions to both problems exhibit similar trends regarding resource allocation decisions and performance evolution. Furthermore, we show that the product architecture affects resource allocation, which in turn affects the performance of the PD process. By introducing centrality metrics for measuring the location of the modules and design rules within the product architecture, we find that resource allocation decisions correlate to their metrics. These results provide simple, but powerful, managerial guidelines for efficiently designing and managing the PD process. Finally, for validating the model and its results, we introduce and solve two design case studies for a mechanical manipulator and for an automotive appearance design process.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)71-90
    Number of pages20
    JournalResearch in Engineering Design
    Volume32
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Jan 2021

    Keywords

    • Centrality
    • Convex optimization
    • Dynamic model
    • Investment/performance trade-offs
    • Product development
    • Resource allocation

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