Coping with Complex Systems-of-Systems in the Context of PGE – Product Generation Engineering

Abstract

One of the main challenges in product development processes nowadays is to consider the megatrend of individualisation and connectivity within products. Companies are increasingly forced to qualify their own products for integration into an existing system of other products – so called System-of-Systems. These products were initially developed independently of each other. Within this system, their own product acts as a sub-system, consisting of sub-systems itself. The main purpose of such interlinked but independent systems is to fulfil a function that cannot be provided by sub-systems on their own. As a consequence, companies have to consider requirements of complex Systems-of-Systems when developing new product generations. The product development process itself is therefore often subject to dynamic changes due to changing requirements and boundary conditions. On a different system level, similar characteristics and challenges can be found in the development of modular kits. In this context the concept of PGE – Product Generation Engineering has been proven to be supportive in addressing these challenges. With this work the authors analyse the challenges of products in a complex System-of-Systems environment considering the entire product lifecycle and evaluate the potential of PGE in handling these challenges. Therefore three case studies with an automotive supplier and a machine tool manufacturer have been conducted. Their aim is to outline how identified aspects of complex Systems-of-Systems are addressed in industrial practice with the support of PGE. It appears that different objectives of the systems involved, as well as being able to operate independently are the main challenges when coping with complex Systems-of-System. It is shown, that PGE is able to support the development process of complex System-of-Systems to a certain extend in a beneficial way.