A modularised typology for flow design based on decoupling points – a holistic view on process industries and discrete manufacturing industries
提出一种模块化方法，通过配置生成特定案例的流程设计，基于解耦点识别决策类别，涵盖离散制造和流程工业，并用钢铁和工具行业案例说明应用。
Management of production activities covers a wide range of decisions. In this paper, a modularised approach is suggested that, through configuration, generates a case-specific flow design. The approach is based on identification of decision categories that are generic and fundamental in the flow design, covering both discrete manufacturing industries and process industries. Each decision category identifies a unique property of the flow which changes at a particular point: this is termed a decoupling point. A three-dimensional modularised typology is developed by combining three different decision categories. Cases from the steel industry and the tooling industry are used to illustrate how the typology can be applied. The modularised approach provides a typology for the application of both qualitative and quantitative methods for flow management, including planning, control and performance management.