Modeling tradeoffs in three-dimensional concurrent engineering: a goal programming approach

This paper proposes a goal-programming modeling approach to address three-dimensional concurrent engineering (3D-CE) problems involving product, process and supply chain design. The model enables straightforward representation of the inter-relations among multiple objectives and analysis of tradeoffs among those that exhibit conflicts. The model is demonstrated through a discussion of integrality versus modularity in product and supply chain designs that is motivated by events that took place in the automotive industry over the last decade. A numerical example is used to illustrate the model and the paper concludes with possible extensions and guidelines for implementation.