Change prediction for mass customized products: A product model view

In the automotive industry, engine companies produce a highly complex product, with a need to satisfy stringent legislation emission targets while at the same time they are faced with a highly fragmented market of different customers demanding highly customized products. A main driver to be competitive in such a situation is to manage changes effectively. Change requests from new customer requirements even late in the process must be analyzed for potential costly knock-on effects to other, not necessarily connected components. This paper describes how the Change Prediction Method (CPM) can be applied for the assessment of knock-on change risks which supports companies in planning for changes before being implemented and allows for an improved planning towards mass customization.