Modularity and Distributed Product Development
DS 30: Proceedings of DESIGN 2002, the 7th International Design Conference, Dubrovnik
Year: 2002
Editor: Marjanovic D.
Author: Hansen, P. K.; Gubi, E.; Hansen, B. G.
Section: Industrial solutions
Page(s): 641-646
Abstract
The paper describes the introduction of an architectural phase aiming at defining product modules at the Danish Company Bang & Olufsen. The result of the process has been a product with 10 well-defined modules. Three of these have been fully developed by external partners. External partners produce seven of the modules. The product can be assembled manually without use of any specialized tools. Bang & Olufsen is so convinced about the power and the way of handling the architectural phase that they have launched a training program aiming at training a new category of employees: Product Architects.
Keywords: Product Architecture, Modularity, Design for Supply Chain Management