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 interrelations 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.